At least 40 people killed by gunman in Nigeria, the country’s president says

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s president announced on Monday that a tragic incident occurred in a Christian farming community in the north-central region of the country. At least 40 people lost their lives in an attack believed to have been carried out by Muslim gunmen, suspected to be herders. This unfortunate event is part of a disturbing trend of violence that has been escalating in Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu expressed his deep sorrow over the attack on the Zike community, which took place late on Sunday night. He has initiated an investigation into the matter and offered his condolences to the affected families.

In a statement issued on Monday, Tinubu instructed security agencies to thoroughly probe the crisis and apprehend those responsible for the violent acts.

Amnesty International reported that the victims, including vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, were caught off guard and unable to escape from the attackers.

Incidents of this nature have become commonplace in Nigeria, particularly in the conflict between herders, mainly from the Fulani Muslim tribe, and farmers over land rights, often exploiting security loopholes to carry out deadly assaults.

Local resident Andy Yakubu recounted witnessing the aftermath of the attack in the Zike community, located in Plateau state’s Bassa area. He mentioned the destruction of homes and the looting that ensued, estimating the death toll to potentially exceed 50. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

The Fulani herders have been accused of carrying out large-scale killings in various regions, exacerbating the longstanding conflict between Christians and Muslims over land and water resources.

Despite efforts by the government to address the violence, the situation remains grim. Amnesty International’s data from recent months indicates a high death toll in Plateau state, reflecting the failure of current measures to curb the bloodshed.

Samuel Jugo, spokesperson for the Irigwe Development Association, highlighted the ongoing violence in the Bassa area, where members of the Christian Irigwe ethnic group have been targeted. He condemned the latest attack as provocative and unwarranted, pointing out the inadequacy of security measures in preventing such atrocities.

The conflict over land resources in Nigeria’s north-central region is distinct from the battle against Boko Haram, a militant group that has been active in the country since 2009. The fight against Boko Haram, known for its extremist ideology and violent tactics, has posed a significant challenge to Nigeria and its neighboring countries.