By Agboola Aluko | April 5, 2025
A new wave of suspected intercommunal violence in Plateau State, north-central Nigeria, has resulted in the deaths of over 40 people, officials confirmed on Friday.
Attackers targeted several villages on Wednesday, reigniting tensions in the volatile region, where land disputes between Muslim Fulani herders and predominantly Christian farmers frequently escalate into deadly clashes.
As of Friday morning, Bokkos Local Government representative Farmasum Fuddang reported that 48 bodies had been recovered, significantly increasing the initial death toll of 10. A Red Cross official also confirmed that the number of victims had exceeded 40, with women and children making up the majority of casualties.
“Yesterday alone, we conducted a mass burial for more than 30 people,” Fuddang said.
Eyewitness Accounts
Survivors from the affected villages described the harrowing attacks that left dozens dead and homes destroyed.
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Maren Jushua, a resident of Manguna, said his village was raided on Wednesday night by armed assailants.
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John Mathew from nearby Daffo estimated the death toll could exceed 20.
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Fuddang claimed that the violence was driven by “ethnic and religious cleansing”, noting that the attackers were “speaking the Fulani dialect.”
Recurring Violence in Plateau State
Intercommunal clashes have been a persistent issue in Plateau State, often driven by complex factors such as land disputes, climate change, political tensions, and illegal mining activities.
A similar attack on the village of Ruwi in March resulted in 10 fatalities.
Tensions have been high in the region since the Christmas 2023 massacre, when approximately 200 people were killed in a brutal attack on a predominantly Christian village.
In May 2024, around 40 people were killed and homes set ablaze in Wase town.
Government Response
In response to the latest violence, Plateau State Information Commissioner Joyce Ramnap called on security agencies to pursue and apprehend the perpetrators.
“We urge the security forces to ensure justice for the victims and prevent further attacks,” Ramnap stated.
As the cycle of violence continues, residents fear more bloodshed unless urgent measures are taken to address the root causes of the conflict.
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