Armed Attack Claims Lives of Farmers in North-Central Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria — In a tragic incident on Wednesday, armed men killed at least 13 farmers in Niger State, north-central Nigeria, according to local officials. The attack has not been claimed by any group, but local government representative Akilu Isyaku suspects that herders and kidnappers may be responsible. He indicated that the farmers might have been targeted for allegedly providing intelligence to authorities regarding the movements of the attackers. The region has been embroiled in violent conflicts over land and water resources, primarily between nomadic herders and rural farmers. This year alone, hundreds have lost their lives in similar clashes, which have escalated from traditional stick fights to armed confrontations involving smuggled firearms. The violence is further complicated by underlying religious tensions, with militias forming around the predominantly Muslim herders and the Christian farming communities. Kidnappings have also become a frequent occurrence in the area, with armed groups exploiting the limited security presence. Just last week, gunmen abducted at least 20 students in an ambush in nearby Benue State. Victims of such attacks are often released only after ransoms are paid, sometimes amounting to thousands of dollars. The nature of these assaults allows assailants to escape before security forces can respond, leading to a climate of fear and insecurity in the region.