Abuja:

A report sent to the Catholic relief organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) said that more than 400 people were killed in 119 attacks occurred in the southeastern Nigerian state of Benue last year. The report released on January 25, mentioned that over 100 were wounded, raped, or kidnapped in attacks on farming communities in 2023.

ACN project partner Father Remigius Ihiyula of the Diocese of Makurdi, in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, said that between January 2 and December 27 last year, 119 Fulani herdsmen orchestrated attacks were registered in the diocese. He also said that Fulani herdsmen kidnapped 35 people, demanding ransom.

The report said that the major reason for the attack was an age-old tension between the nomadic herdsmen and the settled farmers, aggravated by tribal and religious differences. Fulani herdsmen are primarily Muslims, while the farmers are Christians.

The ACN report highlighted that in recent cases, in other parts of Nigeria, the attacks have been described as selectively aimed at Christians, confirming a religious element to the violence.

“In the past, the conflict over grazing lands never came with the killings and destruction witnessed today. Before, there was no intention to occupy and displace communities as is being done today. There were also mechanisms for peaceful resolutions and amicable settlements, none of which are present today”, said Father Remigius.

According to the report, during the first quarter of 2023, which witnessed most violent attacks, resulted in nearly 163 deaths. There were 18 attacks in January followed by 15 and 18 in February and March respectively. In April, a total of 63 died from nine attacks, recording the highest number of deaths in a month.

Supporting the works of Makurdi Diocese, the Aid to the Church in Need provided aid to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Guma and Daudu Camp in Benue state.

The West African country Nigeria was ranked sixth according to the 2024 Open Doors World Watch List for persecuting Christians. The List noted an increase in attacks targeting the church from Islamic extremist groups like Fulani militants, Boko Haram, and ISWAP (Islamic State in West African Province) during the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari. Open Doors report on Nigeria also noted that the government’s failure to protect Christians and punish perpetrators has only strengthened the militants’ influence.