Fulani Herders Slaughter 500 Civilians and Burn Down Schools, Health Centers, Houses of Worship in Northern Nigeria

Fulani herders raided more than 10 villages in northern Nigeria, killing at least 500 innocent civilians.

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, the villages in Agate LGA are still in the hands of Muslim herders. After being driven out of five communities by security forces in Benue State, Muslim herders responded by attacking the people in their possession.

In addition to the attacks, representative Senator David Mark stated, “All the primary and post-primary schools, health centres, worship centres as well as the police station in the area have been burnt down.”

The representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Angele Dikongue-Atangana, said she had "never seen such a level of destruction” in her 20 years of experience in the humanitarian relief field. She declared that the villagers will need a lot of assistance repairing the damage.

Currently, the attacks by herdsmen continue in areas of Benue State populated by the Tiv tribe.

The attackers are noted to have used a cellular device owned by an All Progressives Congress youth leader who was found dead on April 4.

Herdsmen extended their onslaught in the southern regions. Fulani herders kidnapped Father Aniako Celestine from St Joseph’s Catholic Church Ukana in Enugu State on April 2, demanding a £35,000 payment in exchange for his release.

Currently, a bill made by the Nigerian National Assembly proposes that it would bring an end to the rampage caused by Fulani herder by enacting grazing reserves and stock routes across the country. But those who oppose the proposed bill say that it would not guarantee security, and instead bring more chaos.

“Addressing this violence must become a priority, with attacks being met by an effective defense of besieged communities, as well as of herders who are legitimate victims of cattle rustling. Murder, rape, and destruction of personal and federal property are criminal acts; consequently, perpetrators ought to be apprehended, disarmed and prosecuted in order to combat lawlessness and impunity,” said Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide.