Suspected intercommunal clashes in Nigeria’s Plateau State leave over 40 dead: Video

The attacks targeted several villages on Wednesday, April 2, in the state, known for its volatile mix of religious and ethnic communities, where long-standing land disputes between mostly Christian farmers and Muslim Fulani herders frequently escalate into deadly confrontations.

As of Friday morning, Farmasum Fuddang, an official with the Bokkos local government, reported that 48 bodies had been recovered — a significant increase from the initial count of 10. “Yesterday alone, we made a mass burial of more than 30 people,” Fuddang said.

A representative from the Red Cross confirmed the death toll had exceeded 40, noting that most victims were women and children.

Despite the peaceful coexistence of millions of Nigerians from various backgrounds, Plateau State remains a flashpoint for sectarian violence. Even in urban areas where Christians and Muslims live side by side, small-scale disputes have spiraled into large-scale massacres along community lines.

Maren Jushua, a resident of Manguna village, described the terrifying moment when gunmen stormed his village. “I and my other brothers managed to hide ourselves inside a small building behind our house. After they had gone, we came out to discover four people were killed,” he told AFP.

In neighbouring Daffo, John Mathew estimated the toll to be even higher. “The number of casualties would be more than 20,” he said.

Fuddang alleged on Thursday that the attackers were committing “ethnic and religious cleansing,” claiming they were heard speaking the Fulani dialect.

This assertion drew sharp criticism from a local herders' association. They denounced the characterization, arguing that Fulfulde — the formal name of the Fulani language — is widely spoken across Nigeria, including by criminals. In a statement, the Plateau chapter of the Gan Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria condemned the killings as “barbaric” but also contended that “herders should be the ones complaining about land grabbing” by farmers.

Military forces, alongside local vigilantes, reportedly engaged the attackers. “Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing criminals,” said the military. The state police spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.

History of Conflict

Experts say the root causes of violence in Plateau are complex. With Nigeria’s population booming, the demand for farmland has intensified, while traditional grazing routes are shrinking, partly due to climate change. Land disputes, political rivalries, illegal mining, and poor governance all contribute to ongoing tensions, with impunity remaining a persistent issue.

A similar attack in late March on the village of Ruwi left 10 people dead. “Unidentified men came into the community shooting sporadically and killed 10 people,” said village leader Moses John at the time.

Reacting to the recent violence, Plateau State Information Commissioner Joyce Ramnap strongly condemned the killings and urged both religious and community leaders to “reinforce the message of peace, unity, and lawful engagement.” She also noted that “important arrests have been made,” though no details were provided.

Tensions in the region have been high since a brutal assault during Christmas 2023 left about 200 people dead in a mostly Christian community. Another deadly episode occurred in May last year in Wase, where around 40 people were killed and several homes burned.