At least 51 killed in Nigeria village attack

Unidentified gunmen have killed at least 51 people in two attacks in West African Nigeria, officials said. Dozens of attackers raided the village of Umuogidi in Benue state on Monday and Tuesday, regional politician Bako Ejeh told the German news agency on Friday. Local authorities suspected the attacks were carried out by Fulani herdsmen; however, according to Ejeh, the victims are mainly farmers.

Baba Usman Ngelzarma, president of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, an association of Fulani herders, warned against blaming cattle herders without investigation, according to the British newspaper The Guardian. “There is a deliberate campaign to demonize Fulani herdsmen that started in Benue and has spread to other parts of Nigeria,” he said. “We do not exonerate Fulani herdsmen from involvement in some attacks, but the way they are always blamed for every attack is unfair and biased.” Ngelzarma called for an investigation to find the real perpetrators.

Conflict over fertile land, which is necessary for both growing food and grazing livestock, is on the rise in the country of 206 million. Fulani pastoralists in northern Nigeria are increasingly foraging for their animals in southern and central Nigeria. The Fulani have a long nomadic tradition. (mr/sda/dpa)