At least 17 people have been killed by suspected herders in Nigeria

On Thursday, police reported that at least 17 individuals lost their lives during an attack by suspected cattle herders on communities in Benue State, central Nigeria, highlighting a troubling resurgence of violent confrontations between farmers and herders.

Years of conflict have hindered food supplies from north-central Nigeria, an important agricultural region.

The recent assaults occurred two days following the deaths of 11 individuals in the Otukpo region of Benue, and just under a week after gunmen targeted villages, resulting in over 50 fatalities in the adjacent Plateau State.

Since 2019, the conflicts have resulted in over 500 fatalities in the region and have displaced 2.2 million individuals from their homes, as reported by research firm SBM Intelligence.

According to police reports, a distinct group of suspected herdsmen shot and killed five farmers near Gbagir in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue early on Friday. According to police spokesperson Sewuese Anene, the attackers began shooting as law enforcement approached to engage them.

According to police reports, while officers were confronting the attackers in Ukum, an additional 12 individuals lost their lives in a separate assault in the Logo local council area, located approximately 70 km away.