Nearly 50 Killed in Nigeria’s Plateau State as Violence Rises Again
Jos, Nigeria – Nearly 50 people have been killed in fresh attacks by unidentified gunmen in Plateau State, central Nigeria, a region often troubled by religious violence and land conflicts.
The attack happened Sunday night in the villages of Zike and Kimakpa, located in the Bassa local government area, about 25 kilometers from Jos, the state capital. According to a Red Cross source, 47 people died, and 22 were injured. The attackers also burned down five homes.
Recurring Violence in Plateau State
This attack comes just two weeks after similar violence in Bokkos, where 48 people were killed. Plateau State has long been a hotspot for intercommunal violence and deadly land disputes, especially between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farming communities.
In rural areas, where police presence is weak, these land disputes often turn deadly. People living there say justice is rare, and revenge attacks are common.
Eyewitnesses Describe the Horror
Residents shared their painful stories with journalists.
“The attackers came into the community and started shooting at everyone,” said Dorcas John, who lives in Zike. “They killed eight people in our village.”
John Adamu from Kimakpa village reported that 39 people were killed there.
The identity of the attackers remains unknown, and police have not made any official statements as of Monday.
Why Is Violence Increasing?
Experts say the reasons behind the violence are complex. Nigeria’s growing population has increased the demand for farmland, while climate change is affecting the land used for grazing.
Tensions also grow between local tribes (“indigenes”) and people considered outsiders. Add to that the spread of radical religious views and weak law enforcement, and the situation becomes even worse.
Just last week, the headless body of a 16-year-old Fulani herder was found in Bassa. His cattle were stolen, raising fears of more revenge killings.
Calls for Action from Communities and Rights Groups
After the earlier Bokkos attack, some local leaders accused the attackers of trying to carry out “ethnic and religious cleansing”, saying they spoke the Fulani dialect. However, a Fulani herder group disagreed, saying the Fulfulde language is common in Nigeria and that anyone could speak it – even criminals.
Muslim and Christian groups alike are warning of a possible total breakdown of law and order if these attacks continue.
“If this is not well managed, it could lead to anarchy,” warned JNI, a Muslim community organization.
Government and Amnesty International Respond
The Plateau State Government strongly condemned the latest attack, calling it “unprovoked” and a threat to peace.
“These attacks are a danger to the lives and livelihoods of our people,” said Joyce Ramnap, the state commissioner for information.
Amnesty International also criticized the ongoing violence and called on President Bola Tinubu to set up an independent panel to investigate why security forces have failed to stop the killings.
“The bloodshed must stop now,” said Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International’s country director for Nigeria. “The people responsible must be brought to justice.”
Nearly 50 Killed in Nigeria’s Plateau State as Violence Rises Again
