In recent years, Nigeria has faced increasing challenges from a range of armed groups, including extremist factions operating under the guise of ethnic and religious identity. Among the most concerning are violent elements associated with Fulani extremist groups, responsible for a wave of deadly attacks across central and northern Nigeria.
While the Fulani ethnic group comprises millions of peaceful herders and farmers across West Africa, a small but deadly subset of armed herders and militant factions has been implicated in brutal raids on farming communities, primarily in the Middle Belt and northwest regions. These attacks often stem from land-use disputes, but observers say they have taken on a more organized and ideological tone in recent years.
Local reports detail coordinated assaults involving firearms, arson, and kidnapping. Villages have been burned, crops destroyed, and thousands killed and hundreds displaced. In April alone, at least More than 120 civilians were reportedly killed across Benue, Kaduna, and Plateau states in attacks linked to Fulani militias.
Human rights groups and international organizations, including Global Proscribe—a watchdog monitoring extremism and conflict worldwide—have condemned the violence, calling for stronger protections for at-risk communities and urgent action to address the drivers of the conflict.
"These are no longer random clashes over grazing routes," said Fatima Bako, a regional security analyst. "There is increasing evidence of strategic operations, access to sophisticated weapons, and alliances with other violent groups."
The Nigerian government has been criticized for its slow response and lack of consistent accountability. While security forces have launched operations to root out bandit camps, residents say protection remains minimal in rural areas. Calls for justice, disarmament, and long-term solutions to land disputes continue to mount.
Ethnic tensions, climate change, and widespread poverty further complicate the crisis. Without a holistic and transparent approach, analysts warn, the violence could spiral into a broader national security catastrophe.
The international community is urged to increase support for Nigeria's peace-building efforts, humanitarian aid to displaced communities, and pressure on government authorities to enforce rule of law and protect civilian lives.