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Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- General
- Al Arabiya
Gunmen kill 25 in restive central Nigeria state, local authorities say
Gunmen over the weekend killed 25 people in two attacks across north-central Nigeria's Benue state, local authorities told AFP Monday, in the latest bout of violence in a region known for deadly land disputes and reprisals. Adam Ochega, chairman of the Apa local government council, said 14 people were killed in the community of Ankpali, while Gwer West chairman Ormin Victor said 11 were killed in a similar attack on Naka village. Both attacks occurred on Sunday.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Gunmen kill 23 in Nigeria's central region
Clashes between nomadic cattle herders and farmers over land use are common in central Nigeria. (EPA Images pic) JOS : Gunmen killed 23 people in four separate attacks in central Nigeria's Benue state, a Red Cross official said yesterday, the latest flare-up of unrest in the region. The attacks happened Saturday night in four villages. Clashes between nomadic cattle herders and farmers over land use are common in central Nigeria. 'Reports from the field have confirmed the killings of at least 23 people from different attacks,' Red Cross secretary in Benue state Anthony Abah told AFP. Eight people were killed in Ukum, nine in nearby Logo, three each in Guma and Kwande, he said, citing data from the organisation's field disaster officers. Several others were wounded, he added. A police spokesman said she was unaware of the attacks. Cephas Kangeh, a retired general manager with a state electricity company who recently relocated to his home village near one of the affected areas told AFP he had heard of three killings, including a couple ambushed while riding a motorcycle which 'was taken away by the herdsmen'. Chinese operators are mining gold in the area, he said. 'The attacks did not take place near the mining sites,' said Kangeh. 'However, one is puzzled as to why indigenous people are always attacked, maimed… yet there has never been a single case of attack on the Chinese miners who are operating in these areas.' Some of the latest attacks were staged in areas previously targeted by attacks slightly over a month ago, which left at least 56 dead. With many herders belonging to the Muslim Fulani ethnic group, and many farmers Christian, the attacks in Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt often take on a religious or ethnic dimension. Two attacks by unidentified gunmen earlier in April in neighbouring Plateau state left more than 100 people dead. Across the wider Middle Belt, including in Benue, land used by farmers and herders is coming under stress from climate change and human expansion, sparking deadly competition for increasingly limited space.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Amnesty says over 10,000 killed in 2 years in north, central Nigeria
Borno state – the epicentre of jihadist violence which has raged in northeast Nigeria since 2009 – was not included in Amnesty's investigations. (EPA Image pic) LAGOS : The number of people killed in violence committed by jihadist groups and criminal gangs topped over 10,000 in two years in central and northern Nigeria, Amnesty International said today. In a report, the global rights group blamed the government of President Bola Tinubu for failure to protect people in swathes of the country hit by raids by jihadists, and criminal gangs known as 'bandits' who attack villages, killing and kidnapping residents. However, Tinubu today insisted that troops deployed in the flashpoints have succeeded in restoring order and tackling threats posed by the militant groups. Massacres also occur in central Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt where herders and farmers often clash over land access, with the attacks often taking on a religious or ethnic dimension. Amnesty's investigation showed that 'in the two years since the current government has been in power, at least 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by gunmen'. Benue state, which lies in the central region, suffered the heaviest death toll of 6,896, followed by Plateau state, where 2,630 people were killed, Amnesty said in a report released to coincide with Tinubu's first two years in office. Of the seven states Amnesty investigated, Borno – the epicentre of jihadist violence which has raged in northeast Nigeria since 2009 – was not included. When Tinubu came to power two years ago, he vowed that dealing with insecurity was one of the main challenges for his government. 'Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country,' said Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria. Northern states that jihadists and other criminal groups have targeted for several years have seen an upsurge in attacks in recent months. Sanusi said the 'recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups shows that the security measures implemented by President Tinubu's government are simply not working'. In his second year anniversary speech, Tinubu said Nigerian troops have 'restored order, reducing and eliminating threats to lives and livelihoods' in violence-wracked regions'. 'With the successes achieved, farmers are back tilling the land to feed us. Highways hitherto dangerous for travellers have become safer,' he added. His government is also facing simmering separatist tensions in the southeast.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Nigeria: Mounting death toll and looming humanitarian crisis amid unchecked attacks by armed groups
At least 10,217 people killed in two years since government took power Over 6,896 killed in Benue, at least 2,630 killed in Plateau 638 villages sacked by bandits in Zamfara state Looming humanitarian crisis being ignored The Nigerian authorities' shocking failure to protect lives and property from daily attacks by armed groups and bandits has cost thousands of lives and created a potential humanitarian crisis across many northern states, said Amnesty International. A new investigation shows that, in the two years since the current government has been in power, at least 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by gunmen in Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau Sokoto and Zamfara state. Benue state accounts for the highest death toll of 6,896, followed by Plateau state, where 2,630 people were killed. 'Today marks exactly two years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to enhance security. Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country,' said Isa Sanusi, Director Amnesty International Nigeria. 'President Tinubu must fulfill his promises to Nigerians and urgently address the resurgence of the nation's endemic security crisis. The recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups shows that the security measures implemented by President Tinubu's government are simply not working.' In the two years since President Bola Tinubu's government assumed power, new armed groups have emerged including Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi state, and Mamuda in Kwara state, while hundreds of villages have been sacked by gunmen in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau and Zamfara. Mounting death toll Since 29 May 2023, hundreds of people have been killed in rural areas where, our research since 2020 shows, a total absence of governance has given gunmen and criminal groups a free hand to commit atrocities. Our investigation verified the killing of over 294 people in Katsina state and documented the abduction of 306 people, mostly women and girls, between May 2023 to May 2025. In Zamfara state, attacks have occurred daily, with multiple attacks sometimes taking place in a single day. In the last two years, over 273 people have been killed and 467 people abducted. Since the beginning of the security crisis, bandits have sacked 638 villages across while 725 villages are under the control of bandits, across 13 local governments of Zamfara state. Maru local government area also witnessed escalating attacks, including one on a mining site at Gobirawar Chali on 24 April 2025 in which over 20 miners were killed. The emergence of Lakurawa opened a new frontier of bloodshed in Kebbi state where at least 70 people were killed in 22 attacks. Impunity in Benue and Plateau The attacks in Benue and Plateau state were particularly vicious. During the 3 April attack on Bokkos local government of Plateau state, many people including children and entire families were brutally killed. In Benue state, the gunmen, ensured that after killing people, they also destroy bore holes, clinics and schools. During the attacks on communities in Ukum and Logo local government Amnesty International gathered evidence that grain reserves and places of worship were also destroyed. Amnesty International's findings show that all 23 local government areas of Benue state suffered such attacks, with more frequent attacks on Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Gwer West, Gwer East, Apa and Agatu local government areas. Over 200 villages have been sacked by gunmen across Benue state. These attacks have triggered a wave of displacement with 450,000 people documented as internally displaced people. In Plateau state, armed herders carried out 38 attacks. Between 27 March and 2 April 2025, coordinated attacks took place against five communities: Daffo, Gwande, Hurti, Manguna, and Ruwi in Bokkos local government. In the past two years, 167 rural communities were attacked in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos East, Jos South, Mangu, Riyom and Wase local government areas. As a result of these attacks, 65,000 people have been internally displaced. Some communities, in both Benue and Plateau, have been displaced more than once, after IDP camps were also attacked. Looming humanitarian crisis The majority, if not all of those affected by these attacks, are farmers, whose displacement means they can no longer cultivate their farms. This is causing a looming humanitarian crisis. The majority of those displaced in Plateau and Katsina states told Amnesty International that they had to resort to begging to survive daily life. At Dangulbi district of Zamfara state, farmers have to watch their harvest of sweet potatoes rot because bandits have prevented them from transporting them to the nearest market. 'These attacks deprive people of their right to life while the survivors are deprived of their livelihood,' said Isa Sanusi. Between 9 and 11 May, gunmen sacked four villages of Isa local government area of Sokoto state. The affected communities are: Bafarawa, Gebe, Kamarawa, Garin Fadama and Haruwai. People of these villages are now displaced and struggle to feed daily. Residents of villages in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina states told Amnesty International that gunmen also impose levies on them via phone calls, with the warning that failure to pay by a given deadline will be punished with death. On the response of the Nigerian authorities, a resident of Maru local government Zamfara state told Amnesty International: 'The only relationship between us and the government is that they issue media statements after we are attacked and killed. That is all they do. When the next attack comes, they will issue another empty statement, while bandits escalate their atrocities. We are helpless.' Under international human rights law, the authorities have obligation to protect lives and ensure that those suspected of perpetrating these killings are held to account, as well as to provide victims with access to justice and effective remedies. Again and again, the Nigerian authorities are failing to live up to these obligations. 'Authorities must move swiftly to match their words with serious and concrete action to guarantee the human rights of everyone in Nigeria if they are to be taken seriously on their oft-expressed commitment to stop the killings, violence, abductions and other human rights crimes in several parts of the country.' 'The authorities' failure to hold suspected perpetrators accountable is fueling a cycle of impunity that is making everyone feel unsafe. Time is running out, as gunmen, bandits and insurgents are ramping up attacks daily. The nationwide bloodshed must end now,' said Isa Sanusi. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.
News24
6 days ago
- General
- News24
Nigeria attacks kill 44: local official
At least 44 people, including children and a pregnant woman, were killed in coordinated attacks in Benue state, Nigeria, over four days. Local officials blamed Fulani herders for the raids, describing them as systematic and brutal, with some victims mutilated. A Catholic priest was shot and wounded, and two passengers were abducted during one of the attacks; police confirmed fewer casualties. At least 44 people have been killed in separate attacks in recent days in central Nigeria, a local government official said on Tuesday, raising the toll in the latest raids in a region where herders and farmers often clash. The attacks occurred in three villages between Friday and Monday, the chairperson of the Gwer West local government area of Benue state, Ormin Torsar Victor, told AFP. Motives for the violence were not clear, but Victor blamed the 'coordinated attacks' on Fulani cattle herders. Muslim ethnic Fulani nomadic herders have long clashed with settled farmers, many of whom are Christian, in Benue over access to land and resources. 'As of today morning, I passed through Aondona, they were mentioning 14 bodies that have been recovered, including a pregnant woman and a boy of two,' he told AFP, adding that 30 others were killed in Ahume. 'Yesterday evening one person was killed, the number keeps increasing by the day. Even now I think some corpses have not yet been discovered,' he said, calling the attacks 'systematic'. The victims were either shot or stabbed, he said. He said the 'pregnant woman was macheted' while the two-year-old boy was 'mutilated'. A Catholic priest was shot and wounded while driving along the Markudi-Naka road, the church and the local government official said. 'They shot him and left him there thinking he was dead,' said Victor, adding that two passengers that were with him were abducted. In a call for prayers for the wounded priest posted on Facebook, the church said he was shot by 'suspected terrorist herdsmen'. 'Coordinated attacks' A resident of Aondona, Ruthie Dan Sam, told AFP late on Monday that '20 people were killed here in Aondona'. She said: Children of less than two are being killed. The worst sight is a baby macheted on its mouth. She added that other people had been killed in neighbouring villages, but said she had no figures. Victor said he and other locals had buried five people, including a father and two of his sons killed in the village of Tewa Biana 'very close to a military base'. Benue state police spokesperson Anene Sewuese Catherine confirmed two attacks in the area but said her office had received 'no report of 20 people' killed. She said that one raid resulted in the death of a policeman who had 'repelled an attack' and that 'three dead bodies were discovered'. The attacks in Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt often take on a religious or ethnic dimension. Benue has been one of the states hit hardest by such violence between nomadic herders and farmers who blame herders for destroying farmland with their cattle grazing.
