Suspected Herders in Nigeria Suspected of Killing Over 140 Villagers

Gunmen launched a series of attacks on remote villages in Plateau state, Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of at least 140 people, according to officials and survivors. The attacks occurred over the weekend and targeted 17 communities, leaving most houses in the area burned down. Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the attacks as “senseless and unprovoked” during a broadcast on local television. The violence has been attributed to the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria, which has led to numerous mass killings throughout the year.

Governor Mutfwang reported that 15 people were buried in Mangu local government alone, while the death toll in Bokkos was estimated to be over 100. The exact number of casualties in Barkin Ladi was yet to be determined. Amnesty International’s Nigeria office confirmed at least 140 deaths based on data compiled by their workers on the ground and local officials. However, there were concerns that the death toll could be even higher as some individuals remained unaccounted for.

Locals claimed that it took over 12 hours for security agencies to respond to their pleas for help. The slow intervention of security forces has been a recurring issue in Nigeria’s security crisis, which has claimed hundreds of lives this year. Sunday Dawum, a youth leader in Bokkos, stated that he called for security assistance but they did not arrive until the following morning. His village, Mbom Mbaru, experienced the loss of 27 lives, including his brother.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but herders from the Fulani tribe have been accused of carrying out similar mass killings in the northwest and central regions. The decades-long conflict over access to land and water has exacerbated the sectarian divide between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa.

The Nigerian army has initiated “clearance operations” in search of suspects, with the assistance of other security agencies. However, arrests in such attacks are rare. Abdullsalam Abubakar, the commander of the army’s special intervention operation in Plateau and neighboring states, vowed that his forces would not rest until the perpetrators were found.

President Bola Tinubu, who was elected this year with the promise of addressing security challenges, instructed security agencies to thoroughly search the area and apprehend those responsible. The president’s office also ordered the immediate mobilization of relief resources for the survivors and prompt medical treatment for the injured.

Amnesty International’s Nigeria director, Isa Sanusi, criticized the government for failing to take concrete action to protect lives and ensure justice for the victims in the conflict-ridden northern region. Sanusi expressed concern that despite claims of arrests, there is no evidence of tangible progress. He stated that the authorities’ failure to protect the people of Nigeria is becoming the norm.