Violent Conflict kills over Two Dozen in Disputes between Pastoralists and Agriculturalists in Nigeria
LATEST REPORT: Shocking Loss of Life in Benue State, Nigeria
Sunday night saw a devastating wave of violence in Benue state, central Nigeria, claiming at least two dozen lives in two separate attacks, as detailed by news agency France-Presse (AFP).
In the village of Ankpali, a horrific 14 fatalities and several injuries were documented, per local government official Adam Ochega. However, the tragedy didn't end there—another attack took place in the village of Naka on the same fateful night, which left eleven dead and five wounded, according to Ormin Victor, another local representative.
This bloodshed takes place amid a long-standing feud between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farmers in Benue state over land and resources. The region unfortunately saw a similar cluster of deaths just last month, with 44 lives snuffed out in clashes over four consecutive days in the same area.
The causes behind Sunday's violence remain unclear, though Ormin Victor points the finger at "coordinated attacks" by Fulani herders, who are also often targeted by attacks from farmers seeking to claim lands. The ongoing land dispute is a root cause of the conflict, exacerbated by the presence of armed gangs taking advantage of the situation.
Benue state has been one of the regions hardest hit by these clashes between farmers and pastoralists, with reports of crops being ruined by the herd animals. The political landscape is tense as a bill is currently being debated in parliament that could ban open grazing across Nigeria, a measure that's opposed by pastoralists.
Regrettably, despite the implementation of various security measures, such as a 10,000-strong security outfit by Governor Hyacinth Alia, and plans for a special operations command by the Nigerian Navy, the conflict continues to escalate with more frequent and violent attacks.
- The latest incident of violence in Benue state, which claimed two dozen lives in two separate attacks, is a part of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the region, as detailed by general-news outlets.
- The violence in Benue state, where 14 fatalities were reported in Ankpali and 11 in Naka, is rooted in politics, with tensions between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farmers over land and resources, often involving crime-and-justice incidents like coordinated attacks and land grabbing.
