Death toll in Nigeria attacks by herders rises to 56

April 20, 2025 / 3:21 PM

Sharjah 24 – WAM: The death toll in attacks by suspected cattle herders on communities in central Nigeria's Benue State has risen to 56, Governor Hyacinth Alia said, underscoring a resurgence of such deadly clashes in Africa's most populous nation.

Police had earlier put the figure at 17

Local media quoted the governor as citing the figure while visiting the villages in Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas (LGAs) that were attacked. Police had earlier put the figure at 17.

According to Reuters, years of clashes have disrupted food supplies from north-central Nigeria, a major agricultural area.

500 lives

Since 2019, the clashes have claimed more than 500 lives in the region and forced 2.2 million to leave their homes, according to research firm SBM Intelligence.