25 Killed in Fresh Attacks in Nigeria’s Benue State

At least 25 people were killed over the weekend in two separate attacks in Nigeria’s Benue state, part of the country’s conflict-prone Middle Belt region.

The first incident took place on Sunday in Ankpali village, where gunmen killed 14 people. Local officials warned that threats of further violence remain.

Later that evening, suspected Fulani militias attacked Naka village in the Gwer West area, killing 11 people and injuring five others.

Benue has long been a flashpoint for clashes between nomadic Fulani herders and settled Christian farming communities, driven by disputes over land and dwindling resources.

In the last two years, nearly 7,000 people have died in such violence in Benue alone, with tensions often taking on ethnic and religious dimensions.

Authorities reported that just last month, 44 people were killed in similar attacks in the Gwer West area. Local leaders described the incidents as “coordinated” and blamed Fulani herders.

Meanwhile, herders have also claimed to be victims, citing land confiscation, cattle poisoning, and attacks by farmers.

Climate change and expanding human settlements have intensified competition for arable land and grazing routes, deepening the conflict.

Security forces often struggle to respond, allowing reprisals and communal violence to spread unchecked.

Neighbouring Plateau state has seen similar unrest, with over 150 people killed in April alone. Analysts point to land disputes, political tensions, and rising religious extremism as key drivers of instability across the region.