The Ongoing Tragedy of Fulani Terror in Nigeria
The situation in Nigeria continues to mirror the grim realities depicted in works like JP Clark’sThe Casualtiesand Cyrian Ekwensi’sSurvive the Peace. Amid the swirling disinformation surrounding the Nigerian civil war, the Ijaw poet sought to rekindle the muse of memory. However, as denials are crafted in clandestine meetings and the rustle of currency notes echoes, it is clear that there has been no respite from the atrocities committed by the terrorists who have placed Nigeria on the Global Terrorism Index.
This week alone, more than 10 people were gunned down in Oglewu, Benue State, with a Catholic church and several buildings razed to the ground. Meanwhile, the Yoruba communities of Kwara State are under threat as the perpetrators continue their violent campaign. While some claim that a significant number of Fulani terrorists are leaving Nigeria for Cameroon via Fufore in Adamawa State, others remain active, reveling in their defiance of the Nigerian state’s authority.
Heartbreaking Survivor Stories
Among the most tragic accounts are those from Plateau and Benue states. One survivor recounted how a woman, despite being severely injured and losing a lot of blood, was eventually violated by the attackers. Another story tells of a husband who was killed by Fulani boys he knew within his own community. These incidents highlight the deep-seated fear and trauma experienced by the victims.
In a previous piece titledA Psalm for Nigeria’s Licensed Killers(May 24, 2025), the author recalled the brutal killing of a 32-year-old breastfeeding mother and the injury of two other women in Riyom, Plateau State. The Fulani attackers not only shot at them but also proceeded to hack the victims. InWhy the ‘North’ Is Not Mourning the Plateau/Benue Dead(April 12, 2025), an open challenge was issued: let anyone show evidence of a visit by the core North to Plateau/Benue State following any massacre between 1999 and 2025.
A History of Violence
The violence has escalated over the years. InThe Impending Judgment of Nomadic Terrorists(February 3, 2024), the author detailed a week of bloodshed, including the murder of a pastor in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and the recovery of 15 bodies in Ugboju community in Agatu LG of Benue State. The same day, the terrorists invaded the palace of the Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti LG of Kwara State, killing the Oba and kidnapping his wife and two others.
Between 2010 and 2016, these groups launched 466 terrorist attacks across West Africa, resulting in 3,068 deaths. They were ranked as the fourth deadliest terrorist group globally in 2014, with over 1,200 fatalities that year. In 2018, they were responsible for 72% of terror-related deaths in Nigeria, with 1,159 lives lost. In 2019, 325 souls were claimed.
Political Complicity
The Muhammadu Buhari government consistently defended these killers during their reign from 2015 to 2023. Buhari, who was a weapon fashioned against Nigeria, even praised Imam Abdullahi Abubakar for sheltering Christians in his mosque. However, this praise came amid a backdrop of political negligence. Following the New Year Day massacre in Benue State in 2018, Buhari urged Benue leaders to “accommodate your countrymen,” a callous statement that ignored the suffering of the victims.
The consequences of this inaction were dire. After the massacre, the Fulani terrorists went on to kill 55 villagers in Lau, Taraba State, on January 6, 2018. The people of Ishieke communities in Ebonyi will never forget the pogrom that followed, leading to the invasion of Igangan community in Oyo State, where many were butchered and properties destroyed.
Continuing Attacks
InPresident Tinubu, Let God Use You for Plateau State(January 27, 2024), the author described the Christmas Eve attacks on villages in Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos areas of Plateau State. The terrorists killed 148 people in Bokkos, destroying 1,290 houses, and 27 in Barkin Ladi. This week, they defied a 24-hour curfew in Mangu, unleashing chaos in Kwahaslalek village and neighboring communities, leaving 25 villagers dead and properties worth millions in ruins.
InPlateau of Blood(May 27, 2023), the author referenced a report from the Daily Post on July 8, 2012, detailing the death of a senator and a lawmaker during a mass burial of over 50 victims. These individuals were killed after discovering that 50 more victims, mostly women and children, had been burnt alive in a pastor’s house.
A Call for Awareness
The trail of blood is endless, yet the victims are often forgotten. As we spit on the grave of the dead, we must remember that one day, we too may join them. The ongoing violence and political complicity demand urgent attention and action.
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