This summer saw yet more relentless violence in central and northwest Nigeria, with communities being targeted on the basis of religion, belief and ethnicity, amid the emergence of new terrorist organisations, Lakurawa and Mahmuda, in Niger and Kwara states respectively.
In a particularly disturbing incident, at least 150 people were initially confirmed to have been killed on 13 June in an attack on Yelewata (Benue State) by militia of Fulani ethnicity. Subsequent reports asserted the final death toll was over 200.
Witnesses reported that the attackers chanted ‘Allahu Akbar’ and suggested that the operation bore the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing.
This devastating attack targeted displaced people and followed several days of terrorist violence. Earlier, farmers were shot dead while working their fields. Other villagers were ambushed and killed the next day as they searched for them.
Attacks have continued unabated. In a particularly tragic incident, a desperately hungry displaced person was killed when he risked returning to his farm on 24 July to find food.
Growing food is now a life-threatening business, not only in Benue State, but across central and northwestern Nigeria.
‘Benue, once touted as the food basket of the nation, is grappling with hunger due to the inability of its people to till their farms.’
Reverend Yunusa Nmadu (CEO, CSW-Nigeria)
How are we making a difference?
Our holistic approach to advocacy includes providing emergency aid, legal assistance, journalism training, skills workshops and psychosocial support. Someone who took part in one of the psychosocial workshops for survivors and human rights defenders who assist them said:
‘My life has changed for good since after the training. I am a whole lot better now and I am able to cope with the issues I have been battling with.’
We continue to call on the international community to urge the government of Nigeria to do more to bring terrorist violence in the country to an end. In June, CSW UK and CSW Nigeria held several encouraging meetings with UN officials and country delegations at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, and we continue to brief the EU and Members of UK Parliament on the situation, assisting them to make accurate interventions.
Facts and stats:
It is estimated that over 5,700 lives have been lost to terrorist violence in Benue State since 2011, with more than 150,000 people displaced.
(The Benue NGOs Network)
Campaign:
Did you know you can write to your MP about what you’ve read? Ask them to raise these issues with UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper, requesting they urge the Nigerian government to address the relentless rise in insecurity decisively. Visit csw.org.uk/writetoyourmp for tips.