In a recent spate of violence in Nigeria’s north-central Plateau state, gunmen killed at least 50 villagers over a period of two days.
The attacks, which occurred in the Mangu district, have led to the imposition of a 24-hour curfew and have escalated calls for authorities to address ongoing conflicts between nomadic cattle herders and farming communities.
This incident marks the second major attack in the state in less than a month, following an assault in December that resulted in over 140 fatalities.
The Mwaghavul Development Association, a local community group, reported that the gunmen stormed several villages on Monday and Tuesday, January 22-23, 2024.
They fired upon residents indiscriminately and set numerous houses ablaze. Difficulty in accessing the affected areas delayed the reporting of these attacks.
Mathias Sohotden, a community leader, noted that the recovery of more bodies is ongoing and that many are still missing or have sustained serious injuries.
This recent outbreak of violence has put significant pressure on Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, who is currently in France on a private visit.
President Tinubu, elected last year with promises to address Nigeria’s security crisis, is facing criticism as observers note no improvement in the situation under his administration.
Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang imposed a curfew in Mangu on Tuesday in response to the attacks. However, locals have reported that this measure did not halt the violence.
Sohotden indicated that the gunmen returned for a subsequent attack on one of the villages, Kwahaslalek, increasing the casualty count to 35 in that location alone. He commented from a local hospital where more than a dozen people are receiving treatment for various injuries.
The attacks have been attributed by locals to herders from the Fulani tribe, who have faced accusations of carrying out similar mass killings across the northwest and central regions of Nigeria.
Lawrence Kyarshik, a spokesperson for the Mwaghavul Development Association, criticized the lack of assistance from security agencies despite prior warnings of the impending attack.
Such criticisms are not uncommon in Nigerian communities affected by conflict. Kyarshik also expressed dissatisfaction with the perceived complacency of some military personnel in fulfilling their duties to protect all citizens regardless of tribe and religion.
Human Rights Watch researcher Anietie Ewang criticized Nigerian authorities and security forces for their failure to provide clear accounts of such attacks, as well as their lack of investigation and justice for victims. Ewang stressed that this ongoing failure leads to mass casualties and the destruction of entire communities.
The attacks in Plateau state are part of a larger pattern of violence involving Muslim Fulani herders and Christian local farming communities, often centered around disputes over land and resources.
