In north-central Nigeria, armed attackers have killed at least 13 farmers during an assault on Wednesday, as reported by local officials. The violence occurred in Niger state, and no group has yet claimed responsibility.
Local authorities suspect that herders or kidnappers might be behind the attack, possibly targeting the farmers for allegedly sharing information about the attackers with intelligence agencies.
The region has been marred by ongoing conflicts between nomadic herders and rural farmers over land and water resources, resulting in numerous fatalities this year. The violence has escalated from stick fights to armed confrontations involving smuggled firearms. Religious tensions have also emerged, with militias aligning with either the predominantly Muslim herders or the Christian farmers.
The area is also notorious for kidnappings. Recently, gunmen abducted 20 students in Benue state. The attackers exploit limited security to carry out abductions, often demanding hefty ransoms. These incidents can last for extended periods, with assailants typically fleeing before authorities arrive. Arrests are rare, and in December, a deadly assault claimed the lives of at least 140 residents over two days.