This week, Benue State in central Nigeria experienced a particularly deadly onslaught. Twin suicide attacks, claimed by ISIS, led to the tragic deaths of at least 17 people. The attacks took place in the Ukum and Logo local government areas of the state. Logo is less than 70 kilometers from the location of the first incident. These attacks were attributed to suspected nomadic cattle herders. These conflicts are frequently fueled by conflicts between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian Berom and Irigwe ethnic farmer communities.
Just two days before, more than 11 people were killed in a terrorist attack in Otukpo locality of Benue State. Over the weekend, though, new attacks elsewhere in the region have flared. Political violence has increased in the country very quickly. It follows closely on the heels of another tragedy in neighboring Plateau State, where gunmen last week invaded villages and slaughtered over 50 innocent civilians. Regrettably, these events have further underscored the intensity of violence and conflict in the region. As a result, thousands of lives have been lost, and millions of people have been displaced.
Violence between pastoralists and agriculturalists in Benue State has convulsed this volatile region for much of the last two years. These deadly clashes have caused more than 500 deaths and forced approximately 2.2 million people to flee their homes. These crises greatly hinder food flows from north-central Nigeria, a region that typically boasts a robust agricultural harvest.
Local leader Anene Sewuese Catherine called the recent attacks the most worrisome. “A large number of suspected militia had invaded,” she noted. She further emphasized the chaos that ensued, stating, “Unfortunately an unsuspected simultaneous attack was carried out,” leading to widespread panic among local residents.
According to reports, once the attackers were started to be pushed back, they started shooting randomly at fleeing farmers. This act intensified an already deadly state of affairs. The rising tide of violence puts extreme pressure on security forces. It destroys the livelihoods of those who live in the targeted communities.
