04 Jul 2024 | 11:08 AM UTC
Nigeria: Authorities implement overnight curfew in Ukum LGA, Benue State, July 4
Authorities declared an overnight curfew from 18:00-06:00 in Ukum LGA, Benue State, Nigeria, on July 4 following recent violence.
Officials declared an indefinite overnight curfew in the Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State on July 4 following recent violent unrest. The curfew is in effect from 18:00-06:00. On July 3, demonstrators blocked roads and attacked the council secretariat over perceived government failure to prevent recent killings. Armed bandits have also reportedly killed at least 11 people in recent days.
Authorities will most certainly maintain an increased security presence to ensure adherence to the curfew and prevent further unrest and violence. The curfew and increased security will almost certainly prompt localized transport disruptions. Locals opposed to the measure may stage protests. Further attacks and unrest are possible.
Consider deferring travel to Ukum LGA until the situation improves. If such travel is unavoidable, exercise extreme caution. Heed instructions issued by local authorities, including curfew orders. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations.
Communal clashes are frequent in the middle belt, particularly in Benue State, and primarily stem from land use and water rights disputes between agricultural-based communities and nomadic pastoral herders, sometimes further aggravated by religious components. Such violence often fuels rounds of reprisal attacks between various communities, leading to heavy casualty tolls.
