Nigeria: Attack against community in Apa area, Benue State, April 25

Event

Unidentified assailants stormed the Opaha community, based in the Apa Local Government Area (LGA), Benue State, late afternoon of April 25. Conflicting reports suggest that assailants also targeted the Odogbo and Edikwu communities; the exact locations of the communities are unclear. Preliminary reports indicate that up to 17 people died, including two soldiers. The perpetrators and the motive of the attack are unclear but are likely related to a large conflict between competing communities of farmers and pastoralists.

Heightened security is likely across the Apa LGA to prevent further attacks in the short term. Officials could impose movement restrictions, such as curfews. Locals may stage protests to denounce the perceived government’s inaction to stem the violence. Further violence is likely in the coming weeks, including retaliatory attacks from aggrieved communities.

Context

Communal violence is a widespread issue in the central belt of Nigeria. It primarily stems from land use and water rights disputes between agricultural-based communities and nomadic pastoral herders, as well as smaller localized incidents such as shrine desecrations. The problem has persisted, defying attempts at resolution. Such violence is frequent in Benue State, with clashes resulting in numerous fatalities over recent years.

There has been a significant uptick in violence in Benue in recent weeks. In early April, two separate attacks left at least 28 people dead at a camp for internally displaced people in the Guma LGA and 47 dead in the Otukpo LGA. In early March, up to 50 people died during similar violence in the Kwande LGA. While violence is unlikely to target foreign personnel, the incidental threat remains.

Advice

Consider deferring travel to areas of Benue State where communal violence is known to occur frequently. If such travel is unavoidable, exercise extreme caution. Refrain from traveling at night. Heed instructions issued by local authorities. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations.