2023 Plateau State massacres

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2023 Plateau State massacres
Part of the Nigerian bandit conflict
Nigeria - Plateau.svg
LocationBokkos and Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, Nigeria
Coordinates 9°33′55″N8°55′7″E / 9.56528°N 8.91861°E / 9.56528; 8.91861
Date24 December 2023
Target20 rural communities
Attack type
Coordinated mass shootings, arson
WeaponsFirearms
Deaths≈200
Injured≈500
Victims Berom civilians
PerpetratorsBelieved to have been Fulani militia
MotiveEthnic and religious tensions, land disputes, herder–farmer conflicts
Inquiries Amnesty International called for an independent investigation
Attacks followed previous incidents in October and November 2023

A series of armed attacks occurred between 23 and 25 December 2023 in Plateau State in central Nigeria. They affected at least 17 rural communities in the Nigerian local government areas of Bokkos and Barkin Ladi, resulting in at least 200 deaths and injuries to more than 500 people [1] [2] as well as significant property damage. [3] [4] Although no group claimed responsibility for the attacks, they are believed to have been committed by Fulani militias. [3]

Contents

Background

Plateau State is in Nigeria's Middle Belt and has a history of ethnic and religious conflicts, mainly between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farmers. [5] The bandit conflict began in 2011 as a result of disagreements over land ownership and grazing rights between the herders and farmers. [6] Banditry and insecurity are exacerbated by Nigeria's high fertility rate (5.3 as of 2023), with the large youth population suffering from unemployment and underemployment that makes them susceptible to radicalism and banditry. [7] Climate change and the expansion of agriculture also lead to increased conflict. [8] Previous attacks occurred in the region in April 2022 and May 2023. [9]

Miyetti Allah (MACBAN), an advocacy group for Fulani interests, accused state security personnel of colluding with farmers to attack Fulani herders. Muhammed Nuru Abdullahi, the state chairman of the MACBAN, claimed the violence began with a failed act of "cattle rustling" against Fulani on 23 December, where three cattle breeders were killed and the theft of 181 cows was attempted, and that 130 houses were burned in several Fulani villages on 24 December. He recommended that "in order to end the incessant clashes between farmers and herders, the Federal Government should establish ranches in Plateau State and other states of the Federation for animal husbandry." [10]

Attacks

At least 17 rural communities in the regions of Bokkos and Barkin Ladi were attacked on 23 and 24 December, leaving at least 200 people dead and over 500 wounded. [11] The attackers, who used guns and machetes, burned houses and other property. [5] [12] No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Since 2014, attacks on Hausa farmers in the region have been blamed on "semi-nomadic Fulani herders" who have "long complained that farmers are taking over grazing lands crucial to their survival". [13] [14]

Aftermath

The Nigerian Army began "clearance operations" to find suspects in the attacks afterwards. Some victims reported that it took more than twelve hours for the security forces to respond after the attacks. [15]

The attacks prompted outrage, with residents demanding justice and government protection. Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the violence. His response faced criticism, [16] and Amnesty International called for an independent investigation. [17] The international community, including the United Nations, African Union, European Union, and the United States, expressed condemnation and offered support. [18]

After the attacks, photos of the 2022 Owo church attack circulated on social media with miscaptioned labels suggesting they were from the massacres in Plateau State. [19]

On 8 January 2024, around 5,000 Nigerian Christians rallied in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, to protest over insecurity. The protesters gathered outside of the office of the local governor of Jos to call for peace. Plateau State governor Caleb Mutfwang restated his vows to bring the perpetrators of the massacres to justice. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plateau State</span> State of Nigeria

Plateau State is a north central Nigerian state. It is located near the centre of Nigeria and includes a range of hills surrounding the Jos Plateau. Plateau State is described as "The Home of Peace and Tourism". The state has a population of around 4.7 million people. Its capital city is Jos.

Suleja is a city in Niger State, Nigeria, just north of Abuja, capital of the Nigeria. It is sometimes confused with the nearby city of Abuja, due to its proximity, and the fact that it was originally called Abuja before the Nigerian government adopted the name from the then Emir Sulayman Bal for its new federal capital in 1976.

Bokkos is a Local Government Area in Plateau State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Bokkos at 9°18′00″N9°00′00″E.

Gyang Dalyop Datong was a Nigerian senator who represented the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State. He became a member of the Nigerian Senate in 2007. On 12 April 2003, he was elected to the 5th House of Representatives on the platform of the ANPP defeating his closest rival James Vwi of the PDP. He represented Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency from 2003 to 2007. Datong died on 8 July 2012 while attending a mass funeral of people who had been killed by Fulani herdsmen in Maase area of Riyom local government in Plateau State. The people at the funeral were attacked by gunmen thought to also be Fulani.

Sanga is a Local Government Area in southern Kaduna State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Gbantu. The Local Government Council is chaired by Bisallah Malam. It has an area of 1,821 km2 and had a population of 151,485 as at the 2006 census. The postal code of the area is 801.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Jos riots</span> Ethno-religious conflict in central Nigeria

The 2010 Jos riots were clashes between Muslim and Christian ethnic groups in central Nigeria in and near the city of Jos. The first spate of violence of 2010 started on 17 January in Jos and spread to surrounding communities. Houses, churches, mosques and vehicles were set ablaze, during at least four days of fighting. At least 326 people, and possibly more than a thousand, were killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fulani herdsmen</span> Nomadic people in West Africa

Fulani herdsmen or Fulani pastoralists are nomadic or semi-nomadic Fulani people whose primary occupation is raising livestock. The Fulani herdsmen are largely located in the Sahel and semi-arid parts of West Africa, but due to relatively recent changes in climate patterns, many herdsmen have moved further south into the savannah and tropical forest belt of West Africa. The herdsmen are found in countries such as Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon. In Senegal, they inhabit northeastern Ferlo and the southeastern part of the country. In some of these countries the Fula constitute a minority group. They inhabit Northern Nigeria and some parts of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Communal conflicts in Nigeria</span>

Communal conflicts in Nigeria can be divided into two broad categories:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agatu massacres</span>

The Agatu attacks and massacres occurred in Agatu, Benue State, began in late February 2016 and continued for several days into March.

Herder–farmer conflicts in Nigeria are a series of disputes over arable land resources across Nigeria between the mostly-Muslim Fulani herders and the mostly-Christian non-Fulani farmers. The conflicts have been especially prominent in the Middle Belt since the return of democracy in 1999. More recently, they have deteriorated into attacks on farmers by Fulani herdsmen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Kaduna State massacre</span> 2019 terrorist attack in Nigeria

On February 10–11, 2019, 141 people were killed in the Kajuru LGA of the Nigerian state of Kaduna according to the state governor, hours before the Nigerian general election. The dead included 11 Adara people and 130 Fulani. However the Fulani group Miyetti Allah was reported to have published a list of 131 Fulani who had died and it also stated that the bodies of 66 Fulani were recovered while the bodies of 65 other Fulani remained missing. An attack by suspected Fulani gunmen on Ungwar Bardi killed 11 Adara people. An Adara militia in turn attacked Fulani settlements. Miyetti Allah later clarified 66 were buried in graves and 65 remained missing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ogossagou massacre</span> Attacks against Fulani herders in central Mali

On March 23, 2019, several attacks by gunmen killed a reported 160 Fulani herders in central Mali. The violence came in the aftermath of the Malian government cracking down on Islamic terror cells in the country. Two villages, Ogossagou and Welingara, were particularly affected.

On 10 June 2019, the Dogon village of Sobane Da in Mali was attacked. Moulaye Guindo, mayor of neighbouring Bankass, blamed a Fulani militia group. The attack killed 35 people, revised from an earlier claim of 95 killed with 19 missing. A survivor said the attackers numbered about 50, driving motorbikes and pickup trucks. The government of Mali has suspected that terrorists have committed the attack.

Anti-Fulani sentiment is the hostility that exists towards Fulani people in Nigeria, Mali and other West African nations and the discrimination that they are subjected to as a result of it. The Fulani are a semi-nomadic ethnic group that is dispersed across several West African countries. Fulani people represent 6% of Nigeria's population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigerian bandit conflict</span> Conflict between gangs and the Nigerian government

The bandit conflict in northwest Nigeria is an ongoing conflict between the country's federal government and various gangs and ethnic militias. Starting in 2011, the insecurity remaining from the conflict between the Fulani and Hausa ethnic groups quickly allowed other criminal and jihadist elements to form in the region.

The 2023 Plateau State gubernatorial election will take place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Plateau State, concurrent with elections to the Plateau State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. The election—which was postponed from its original 11 March date—will be held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent APC Governor Simon Lalong is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.

Events in the year 2023 in Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Nigerian presidential election in Plateau State</span>

The 2023 Nigerian presidential election in Plateau State will be held on 25 February 2023 as part of the nationwide 2023 Nigerian presidential election to elect the president and vice president of Nigeria. Other federal elections, including elections to the House of Representatives and the Senate, will also be held on the same date while state elections will be held two weeks afterward on 11 March.

From 15 to 16 May 2023 over one hundred people were killed in an attack by Fulani herders against villagers in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria.

References

  1. ↑ "Attaques du 'Noël noir' au Nigeria : près de 200 morts, des victimes 'abattues comme des animaux'... ce que l'on sait de ces massacres" ['Black Christmas' attacks in Nigeria: nearly 200 dead, victims 'slaughtered like animals'... what we know about these massacres]. La Dépêche du Midi (in French). Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Après les massacres du " Noël noir ", le centre du Nigeria en deuil réclame justice" [After the “Black Christmas” massacres, central Nigeria in mourning demands justice]. Radio France internationale (in French). 27 December 2023. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  3. 1 2 Asadu, Chinedu (26 December 2023). "At least 140 villagers killed by suspected herders in dayslong attacks in north-central Nigeria". AP News. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  4. ↑ Aluwafemi, Ayodele (25 December 2023). "Many killed', properties razed as gunmen attack Plateau communities". The Cably. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  5. 1 2 Eboh, Camillus; Ibrahim, Hamza (27 December 2023). "Nigerian villagers missing two days after suspected nomadic herders kill 140". Reuters.
  6. ↑ Buba, Imrana (15 August 2023). "Bandits in Nigeria: how protection payments to militias escalate conflict in the north-west". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  7. ↑ Adejoro, Lara (19 February 2023). "How Nigeria's high fertility rate promotes insecurity – Experts". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  8. ↑ "At least 113 killed in attacks in central Nigeria, local officials say". CNN. 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  9. ↑ "Plateau State govnor: How ova 115 pipo die for Plateau attacks, 64 communities displaced". BBC News Pidgin. 25 December 2023. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  10. ↑ Oyeyemi, Fadehan (27 December 2023). "'Killings must end in Plateau State' – Femi Falana demands". Daily Post Nigeria. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  11. ↑ "At least 160 dead and 300 wounded after attacks by armed gangs in Nigeria". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 25 December 2023. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  12. ↑ Asadu, Chinedu (26 December 2023). "At least 140 killed by suspected herders in dayslong attacks in north-central Nigeria". ABC News. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  13. ↑ "At least 140 villagers killed by suspected herders in weekend attacks in north-central Nigeria". AP News. 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  14. ↑ "Herders kill 100+ in Nigerian conflict over land". AP News. 13 March 2014. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  15. ↑ "Gunmen Kill at Least 140 Nigerian Villagers". Voice of America. 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  16. ↑ "Plateau State Governor, Mutfwang Laments How Terrorists Had Occupied Schools In Barkin Ladi For Five Years Before Attacks | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  17. ↑ Odeniyi, Solomon (26 December 2023). "Probe Plateau attack, Amnesty Int'l urges FG". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  18. ↑ "Tinubu ya yi tir da harin Filato wanda aka kashe 'fiye da mutum 140'" [Tinubu condemns Plateau attack that killed 'more than 140 people']. BBC News Hausa (in Hausa). 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  19. ↑ Dutta, Kolkata; Jha, Anuja Jha (27 December 2023). "Fact Check: No, these images ARE NOT from recent bandit attack in Nigeria that killed more than 100". India Today. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "Nigerian Christians Rally Over Christmas Massacres". Barron's. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
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