Insecurity in Benue State threatens livelihoods and identity

Ongoing insecurity and violence in Benue State and the wider North Central region of Nigeria are threatening both local livelihoods and cultural identity. Farmers are increasingly being driven from their land, attacked on roads, and forced into displacement due to persistent killings.

In areas such as Agatu, communities are struggling with the consequences of repeated violence, which has disrupted schooling and safety. This instability breaks the agricultural chain necessary for local staples, such as yam production, and impacts the social fabric of the region. While urban centers like Makurdi and Otukpo have seen infrastructural changes, the underlying security crisis continues to affect the ability of residents to live and farm without fear.