Escalating Violence in Nigeria’s Benue State: Fulani Herdsmen Attacks Surge
In a series of violent incidents that have alarmed residents and local authorities, Fulani herdsmen have attacked several communities in Benue State, Nigeria, leading to the deaths of 13 Christians over a span of several days, according to local sources.
The recent wave of violence began on January 1, when Fulani herdsmen attacked Otobi Akpa village, Otukpo County, at midnight, resulting in the death of four Christians who were asleep in their homes. Franca Akipu, a resident, reported that the attack has left many missing.
“The attack was carried out by Fulani herdsmen,” Akipu told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “They shot at people who were sleeping. The gunshots were so loud that my mom was in panic throughout the night. Please keep my community in your prayers.” The victims were identified as Ochi Igbade, Eje Uzu, Alinko, and Achibi.
Prior incidents have set a grim precedent. In April, a similar attack resulted in the deaths of 13 Christians and the destruction of 50 homes, said community leader Adikwu Ogbe. “The armed herdsmen invaded our community, shooting sporadically at anyone they sighted,” he recounted.
Elsewhere in Benue State, the violence continued on January 5 and 6, with Fulani herdsmen killing nine Christians in two separate counties. In Kwande County, five Christians were killed on their farms in Udeku Maav-Ya village. “This incident is not the first in this area, as these Fulani herdsmen have been persistent in attacking our communities,” noted Tersua Yarkwan, chairman of the Kwande Local Government Council.
In Guma County’s Ikyaghev village, another attack claimed the lives of four Christians. Maurice Orwough, Guma Council chairman, noted, “The farmers were working on their farms when the herdsmen attacked them around 10 a.m.”
Similar patterns of violence have been reported in other parts of Benue State. Attacks on farms and homes have resulted in widespread fear and displacement. Agatu Council chairman James Melvin Ejeh pointed out the “deliberate and systematic attacks against Christians” in their communities.
December also witnessed attacks, including an incident at a funeral in Owewe village, Okpokwu County, and attacks on predominantly Christian villages in Ado Local Government Council on December 9.
The violence has drawn attention to the complex socio-economic and religious dynamics in Nigeria. While many Fulani are peaceful, the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) highlighted in a 2020 report that some Fulani adhere to radical ideologies. “They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity,” the report states.
Christian leaders in Nigeria argue that the attacks are motivated by a desire to seize land and impose Islam in the region, exacerbated by desertification challenges that threaten the herdsmen’s livelihoods.
This article was originally published at Christian Daily International–Morning Star News
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
