The Voice News: At least 42 people have been killed in attacks across four villages in Nigeria, allegedly carried out by nomadic herders. British media outlet The Guardian reported the incident.
According to Reuters, quoting local official Victor Omonin, 10 people were killed on Saturday (May 24) in attacks on the villages of Tiyolaha and Tse-ubiam. The following day, 32 more people were killed in separate attacks on the nearby villages of Ahume and Aondona.
Omonin warned that the death toll could rise further. “Even as I speak with you, we are still recovering bodies,” he said during a press conference on Tuesday.
Reuters also reported that a Catholic priest was shot and wounded during the attacks. The office of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia confirmed that although the priest was seriously injured, he is now in stable condition.
A witness described the brutality of the attacks, saying, “They even killed a two-year-old child.”
Violence between Fulani nomadic herders and local farmers has been a longstanding issue in central and northwestern Nigeria. The conflict often begins when livestock graze on farmland, leading to disputes.
Many farmers claim that herders initiate the attacks, prompting farmers to organize in self-defense.
Analysts say that climate change and rapid population growth have reduced the availability of farmland, contributing to such group conflicts. However, villagers believe that the core causes of the violence are land grabbing and ethnic cleansing.
According to the Nextier Nigeria Violent Conflicts Database, from 2020 to 2024, there have been 359 incidents of violence between farmers and herders, resulting in over 2,347 deaths. The actual figure is likely higher, as many incidents go unreported.
The conflict also has a religious dimension, typically involving Muslim herders and Christian farmers. During this year’s Easter period, 56 people were killed in similar attacks in Benue State.
The ongoing violence has severely impacted Nigeria’s economy, particularly in Benue State, known as the country’s “food basket.” In an effort to control the situation, the state government banned open grazing and passed a law in 2017 requiring the establishment of ranches. However, locals claim the law has not been effectively enforced.
Benue State lawmaker Asema Achado stated, “This long-standing violence must end at all costs. Our farmers are the backbone of the nation, yet they live in constant fear.”