2023 Plateau State massacres
Part of the Nigerian bandit conflict
LocationBokkos and Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, Nigeria
Date24 December 2023
Target20 rural communities
Attack type
Coordinated mass shootings, arson
WeaponsFirearms
Deaths≈200
Injured≈500
VictimsBerom civilians
PerpetratorsBelieved to have been Fulani militia
MotiveEthnic and religious tensions, land disputes, herder–farmer conflicts
InquiriesAmnesty 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]

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]

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. ↑ France-Presse, Agence (25 December 2023). "At least 160 dead and 300 wounded after attacks by armed gangs in Nigeria". The Guardian. 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. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
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