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Benue state, North Central Nigeria has for many years, witnessed attacks by herdsmen on the rampage. I wanted to understand the impact of these attacks on affected communities by taking a trip to one of the worst-hit local government areas. The weather was perfect as I began my the journey from the west through the pothole-ridden expressway to Nigeria's north-central region The path, crooked with uneven plains, leads me right from Makurdi, the state capital to Agatu local government area. With much difficulty, I traveled through the narrow, uneven and dusty path to Okokolo, one of the communities ravaged since 2013. Ruins and wastelands are all I see. The area is desolate, only burnt houses, roofless houses and broken walls now make up the landscape. The walls still bear the marks of the fire that ripped through the community over the years. A daily reminder of the unfortunate incident that befell the once bubbling farming community. For residents of Okokolo, their silence is deafening. Even the dead, lying helplessly in the graves were not spared the horror of the rampaging herdsmen. Cemeteries were filled with putrid air as many of them were vandalised. As I moved further into the community, dead leaves, drenched of all nutrients by the sun, line up the paths. While the trees still stand tall, buildings are falling. From Okokolo, I moved through the rusty red, narrow lanes to Edawu, another community. The lush green trees and landscape full of flowers welcome me to the centre, so does the stench that oozes out from its buildings. It is all the same. Farmlands now lie wasted, houses bare the marks of war, animals roam around looking for what to eat, the people are sad. It is almost impossible not to the presence of electricity installations intertwined with weeds, almost looking like trees. Even streetlights are not spared. They have become a spectacle, decorated with weeds. Electricity transformers, cables, wires have now adopted the green colour of leaves here. Further into the town is the only bank in the community, now a shadow of itself. Weeds and discoloured walls have formed a ring around the building which has now become a home for rodents and reptiles. The sun was gradually returning to its shell, setting and closing in on its brightness. Through the gushing winds and dusty paths I left the communities behind hoping that they rise from from the dust.