At least 24 people were killed in a brutal attack by gunmen in Nigeria's Plateau state, according to survivors. The assailants, armed with guns and machetes, targeted the Bin-Per village in the Mangu local government area on Monday night. This incident is the latest in a series of violent clashes between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farmers over land and resources in the region.
Mathew Joseph, a resident of Bin-Per, recounted the harrowing experience: 'We were sleeping, we heard some noises, some people in our neighbourhood were screaming. I looked through the window and saw some armed men approaching our house. Before they arrived we managed to escape.' Joseph confirmed that 24 people had been killed, a toll also given by another resident, Muftwan Yamput.
The local Red Cross field officer, Biplang Moses, confirmed the incident but did not specify a death toll. Matthew Kwarpo, a representative in the Plateau state assembly, later reported the toll at 25. The police have not responded to requests for comment. The attack follows the killing of two herders in the area last week, which was followed by a suspected reprisal attack on the nearby village of Maitimbe, where multiple houses were burned down.
The violence in Plateau state is part of a larger pattern of communal clashes driven by competition for land and resources, exacerbated by climate change and human expansion. Political and economic tensions, along with the influx of hardline religious preachers, have further heightened divisions. The weak policing in the region often leads to reprisal attacks, which frequently occur across communal lines.
FAQ
Question: What is the background of the conflict in Plateau state? Answer: The conflict in Plateau state primarily stems from long-standing clashes between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farmers over access to land and resources. These tensions have been exacerbated by climate change, human expansion, and political and economic tensions.
Question: What are the recent incidents leading up to this attack? Answer: Prior to this attack, two herders were killed in the area last week. This was followed by a suspected reprisal attack on the nearby village of Maitimbe, where multiple houses were burned down.
Question: How has the local government responded to the violence? Answer: Matthew Kwarpo, a representative in the Plateau state assembly, has called on authorities to deploy proactive measures to prevent further attacks, especially in the Mangu local government area. He emphasized the need for concerted efforts to address underlying grievances and prevent escalation of violence.
Question: What role does climate change play in the conflict? Answer: Climate change has contributed to the stress on land used by both farmers and herders in central Nigeria's Middle Belt region. As space becomes increasingly limited, competition for resources has intensified, sparking deadly conflicts.
