Nigeria: 11 Muslims killed by mob in Benue April 25 /update 1

Event

An angry mob reportedly killed at least 11 Muslims in Makurdi (Benue state) on Wednesday, April 25, in retaliation for an attack carried out against a church on April 24. Five other people were injured in Wednesday’s violence, which included two mosques being raided. Further sectarian attacks are possible in the coming weeks.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is calling for Christians to stage peaceful demonstrations at churches across the country on April 29 to denounce the recent violence targeting the Christian community. The church attack, believed to have been carried out by Muslim herdsmen, occurred in Ayar-Mbalom (Gwer East local government area); 19 people were killed, including two priests.

Context

Ethnic and sectarian clashes are common in Nigeria. Central Nigeria has become the scene of almost daily clashes between farmers and the largely nomadic herders in a battle for land and resources. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom recently reported that murder rates linked to ethnic violence in Nigeria are higher than those related to terrorism, also a major security concern in the country.

Advice

Individuals in central Nigeria are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

The security environment in Nigeria is complex and particularly poor in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, and Jigawa as well as parts of Kano and Adamawa states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.