In Nigeria, at least 55 people were killed in two new attacks on Tuesday, January 23, and Wednesday, January 24, in Plateau state (central), which has been the scene of deadly inter-communal violence since Christmas, sources told us on Thursday local authorities of the Nigerian Red experienced crosses. Despite a curfew imposed in Mangu district on Tuesday, schools, places of worship and homes were burned and looted in both attacks, community leaders said.
The Mwaghavul Development Association, an organization that brings together members of the (mainly Christian) Mwaghavul ethnic group, accused Fulani (Fulani) Muslim herdsmen of attacking the village of Kwahaslalek, killing “around 30 people.” This report was confirmed to AFP by a local aid official and a humanitarian source on the ground on condition of anonymity.
“Two displaced persons camps have been set up in Mangu town for around 1,500 people,” Nurudeen Husaini Magaji, local president of the Nigerian Red Cross, told AFP. The governor of Plateau announced a curfew on Tuesday after a dispute between a rancher transporting his cattle and other residents using the road sparked a new clash, according to authorities.
Also read: Northern Nigeria: 15 people killed in jihadist attacks on New Year
The second attack also occurred between Tuesday and Wednesday in Mangu town. Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), a Muslim community organization, said religious places of worship and schools were attacked.
“We have found 25 bodies and are waiting for security force protection to bury them,” Jafaru Musa, one of the local JNI leaders, told AFP. “Several of us were killed,” he said after lifeless bodies were found in a mosque that has since been secured by the army. “We are continuing our research with the support of the Red Cross to see if we can find any more. “Dead people because many people are missing. “.
Seventeen people arrested
Police and army spokesmen did not respond to AFP requests for confirmation. Police presented journalists with 17 arrested people they accuse of being involved in the Christmas season attacks and other recent violence in the region. “The area remains heavily secured by security forces,” Deputy Inspector General Ebong Eyibio assured journalists. “Everything is quiet now, the military is everywhere,” said Yusuf Abdullashi, a Mangu resident.
Located on the dividing line between Nigeria's predominantly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south, Plateau State is a hotbed of inter-communal violence. Tensions have increased since nearly 200 people were killed in raids on predominantly Christian villages over Christmas.
Also read: Nigeria: A new report from local authorities says 198 people have been killed in attacks in the center of the country
Clashes in Nigeria's northern and central states are exacerbated by communal tensions over land use between nomadic herders and sedentary farmers. But these types of attacks have expanded into broader criminality. Heavily armed gangs, locally called “bandits,” raid villages, loot and kidnap in order to extort ransom.
Around twenty villages in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi districts bordering Mangu were affected by attacks this Christmas. These massacres caused uproar within the country, but also within the international community. Since then, there have been repeated attacks in the region, leading to the displacement of thousands of people.
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Since coming to power in May, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made tackling insecurity a priority, particularly with the aim of attracting foreign investment to the country.