Over 100 killed and 300 wounded as ethnic strife rocks central Nigeria

Plateau State: At least 160 people lost their lives after armed rebellions conducted a brutal rampage in the central Nigerian state of Plateau. The death toll marked a sharp rise on Monday evening after the region faced major turbulence throughout the weekends, The Guardian reported. Armed groups, locally referred to as “bandits” have launched well-coordinated attacks against 20 different communities in Central Nigeria. For several years, the region has been marred by significant religious and ethnic tensions. 

“As many as 113 persons have been confirmed killed as Saturday hostilities persisted to early hours of Monday,”  Kassah, head of the local government in Bokkos, Plateau State told local reporters on Monday. “We found more than 300 wounded people” he furthered. The authorities noted that all the wounded people have been transferred to hospitals in Bokkos, Jos and Barkin Ladi.  

Condemnation followed

The attack which started in the Bokkos area, spilled into neighbouring Barkin Ladi where 30 people were found dead. On Sunday, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwan condemned the incident and called it “barbaric, brutal and unjustified”, The Guardian reported. “Proactive measures will be taken by the government to curb ongoing attacks against innocent civilians,” said Gyang Bere, the governor’s spokesperson. Plateau State which is touted as “Nigeria's Middle Belt” has been marred by several ethnic and religious conflicts. The violence in the region is often painted as tensions between Muslim herders and mainly Christian farmers.

Making matters even worse, the region has been long terrorised by bandit militias operating from bases deep in forests and raiding villages to loot and kidnap residents for ransom. Tussles over access to natural resources have been one of the most prominent factors that contribute to the persistence of the conflict. Amid the chaos, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Lagos governor elected in February has pledged to attract more investment to Africa’s largest economy to tackle its persistent security challenges.