In recent days, the central Nigerian region of Benue State has witnessed a surge in violent clashes between nomadic herders and local farmers, underscoring the escalating tensions in the area. At least 17 individuals lost their lives in two separate incidents attributed to suspected nomadic cattle herders, highlighting a troubling trend of violence that has been on the rise.
According to Anene Sewuese Catherine, spokesperson for the police in Benue State, the attacks occurred overnight when a “large number of suspected militia” invaded local communities. The renewed violence comes amidst ongoing conflicts that have resulted in hundreds of fatalities in recent years. Security forces responded promptly, but not before assailants indiscriminately opened fire on farmers, resulting in the death of five individuals in the Ukum area of Benue State.
A second attack soon followed in Logo, approximately 70 kilometers away from the initial strike. The police spokesperson noted that an “unsuspected simultaneous attack” occurred in a nearby locality, leading to the deaths of 12 more individuals before law enforcement could arrive on the scene. These incidents came only days after another bout of violence in Otukpo, where 11 people were reported killed, and a prior attack in Plateau State claimed over 50 lives.
The persistent conflict between nomadic cattle herders and local farming communities has been exacerbated by underlying issues, such as climate change and the pressing scarcity of arable land. Research indicates that since 2019, violence in this region has led to more than 500 fatalities and displaced approximately 2.2 million people, according to the research firm SBM Intelligence.
While these clashes are frequently framed in ethnoreligious terms—primarily between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farmers from the Berom and Irigwe ethnic groups—analysts emphasize that the root causes often transcend religious affiliations. Instead, the struggle for resources in the face of climate-induced challenges plays a significant role in driving these conflicts.
The ongoing strife disrupts agricultural production in north-central Nigeria, an area critical to the nation’s food supply. Moving forward, a focus on cooperative solutions that bridge divides between communities may prove essential in fostering lasting peace and agricultural stability in this vital region of Nigeria.
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