At least five farmers were reportedly killed on Tuesday evening in Udeku Maav-Ya community, Mbakyol Council Ward, Turan District, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
Suspected armed herders were said to be behind the attack.
Residents said the incident took place around 4 pm while people were harvesting yams and bambara nuts, causing widespread panic and disruption of daily activities.
A local, who gave his name as Terna, said the assailants lingered in the area after the attack, creating fear among community members.
Confirming the incident, Kwande Local Government chairman, Tersua Yarkwan, described the community as a border settlement sharing an international boundary with Cameroon, adding that its terrain complicates security operations.
He warned that repeated assaults during harvest season were endangering food production, while former Supervisory Councillor Akerigba Lawrence lamented the constant attacks that have destroyed homes, crops, and economic trees and limited access to water.
Lawrence identified three of the victims as Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse, and Tersuur Ijighka, noting that the identities of two others were yet unknown, and said security teams were still searching for missing residents.
He added that schools, markets, and churches had been closed due to the violence, raising concerns over the seasonal surge of armed herders in the state.
Attempts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.