Gunmen attacked a Christian farming community in north-central Nigeria, leaving at least 40 dead, according to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The incident occurred late Sunday night in the Zike community, located in Plateau State. The attack, believed to be carried out by Muslim herders, has raised concerns about the increasing violence in the region, which has been marked by recurring clashes over land and water resources between farmers and herders.
The victims, including children and the elderly, were caught off guard by the assailants, who reportedly destroyed and looted homes. Local resident Andy Yakubu, who witnessed the aftermath, suggested that the death toll could surpass 50. Despite these reports, no arrests have been made.
The violence is part of a broader pattern of attacks by gunmen, often associated with the Fulani, a Muslim ethnic group. These raids typically target farming communities in the central and northwest regions, fueling tensions between ethnic and religious groups. Amnesty International has highlighted the brutality of these attacks, noting that many victims are unable to flee due to the surprise nature of the assaults.
In a statement, President Tinubu expressed his condolences to the victims and ordered an investigation into the attack. However, despite efforts to deploy additional security forces, violence continues to plague the region. The conflict, deeply rooted in disputes over land and resources, has led to numerous deaths, with Amnesty reporting 1,336 fatalities in Plateau State between December 2023 and February 2024 alone.
Samuel Jugo, spokesperson for the Irigwe Development Association, a group representing the Christian Irigwe people, criticized the government’s response, pointing out that at least 75 Irigwe people have been killed since December 2024. Despite the presence of security forces, attacks continue, contributing to a sense of frustration and fear among the local population.
This attack is part of a wider conflict that has been ongoing for decades, exacerbated by environmental pressures, such as desertification and climate change, which intensify competition over limited resources. While the violence in Plateau State is separate from the ongoing insurgency by Boko Haram in the northeast, it highlights the challenges Nigeria faces in addressing internal conflicts that threaten both its social fabric and national security.
As the government investigates the Zike attack, it remains to be seen whether stronger measures will be taken to curb the persistent violence and ensure the safety of communities caught in the crossfire of these resource-based conflicts.
