In the past few days, at least 52 people were reported to have been killed in attacks in six villages in Nigeria’s Plateau state, with nearly 2,000 people forcibly displaced. The recent armed attacks in Plateau state, in the north of Nigeria, resulted in the deaths of at least 52 people and the displacement of around 2,000 individuals. While the cause of the attacks in six villages in the Bokkos region of the state remains unclear, it has been described as the deadliest incident since over 100 people were killed in the same area in December 2023. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that the extent of the violence became clear over the weekend, with 52 deaths confirmed and 22 individuals hospitalized. NEMA stated on Sunday that “armed individuals carried out savage attacks,” resulting in significant loss of life and property. The statement mentioned that “more than 1,820 people have been displaced, and three camps have been set up for those displaced.”

STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENCY According to a statement from the office of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, instructions have been given to apprehend the perpetrators and punish them “severely.” In Plateau state, known for its ethnic and religious diversity, conflicts mainly occur between Muslim herders and Christian farmers, as reported by the media, but factors such as climate change and the expansion of agricultural fields leading to reduced grazing lands are also significant contributors.