Sat Apr 19 11:44:55 UTC 2025: ## Deadly Herders’ Attacks Kill 17 in Central Nigeria
**MAKURDI, Nigeria** – At least 17 people have been killed in twin attacks by suspected nomadic cattle herders in Nigeria’s Benue State, police confirmed Friday. The attacks, which occurred overnight in Ukum and Logo local government areas, mark a disturbing escalation in the ongoing conflict between herders and farmers in central Nigeria.
Five farmers were killed in Ukum as herders repelled by security forces fired indiscriminately. A simultaneous attack in nearby Logo resulted in 12 more deaths before police could arrive on the scene. These incidents follow a recent surge in violence, including 11 deaths in Otukpo, Benue State earlier this week, and over 50 deaths in neighboring Plateau State last week.
Police spokesperson Anene Sewuese Catherine stated that a large number of suspected militia were involved in the attacks. While the clashes are often framed as ethnoreligious conflicts between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farmers, analysts attribute the escalating violence to factors including climate change and dwindling grazing land. The conflict, which has displaced over 2.2 million people since 2019 according to SBM Intelligence, is also disrupting food supplies from a crucial agricultural region. The Nigerian government faces growing pressure to address the root causes of this deadly conflict and bring lasting peace to the affected areas.
First Piper 