:2023 Plateau State massacres

{{short description|Mass murders in Nigeria, 23–25 December 2023}}

{{Infobox civilian attack

| title = 2023 Plateau State massacres

| date = 24 December 2023

| location = Bokkos and Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, Nigeria

| image = Nigeria_-_Plateau.svg

| coordinates = {{wikidatacoord|display=it}}

| target = 20 rural communities

| type = Coordinated mass shootings, arson

| fatalities = ≈200

| injuries = ≈500

| perpetrators = Believed to have been Fulani militia

| motive = Ethnic and religious tensions, land disputes, herder–farmer conflicts

| weapons = Firearms

| blamed =

| accused =

| victims = Berom civilians

| partof = the Nigerian bandit conflict

| aftermath =

| investigations =

| convictions =

| inquiries = Amnesty International called for an independent investigation

| notes = Attacks followed previous incidents in October and November 2023

}}

A series of armed attacks occurred between 23 and 25 December 2023 in Plateau State in central Nigeria. They affected at least 17 rural communities in the Nigerian local government areas of Bokkos and Barkin Ladi, resulting in at least 200 deaths and injuries to more than 500 people{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/2023/12/27/attaques-du-noel-noir-au-nigeria-pres-de-200-morts-des-victimes-abattues-comme-des-animaux-ce-que-lon-sait-de-ces-massacres-10127070.php |title=Attaques du 'Noël noir' au Nigeria : près de 200 morts, des victimes 'abattues comme des animaux'... ce que l'on sait de ces massacres |trans-title='Black Christmas' attacks in Nigeria: nearly 200 dead, victims 'slaughtered like animals'... what we know about these massacres |access-date=28 December 2023 |website=La Dépêche du Midi |archive-date=27 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227230713/https://www.ladepeche.fr/2023/12/27/attaques-du-noel-noir-au-nigeria-pres-de-200-morts-des-victimes-abattues-comme-des-animaux-ce-que-lon-sait-de-ces-massacres-10127070.php|url-status=live}}{{cite web |access-date=27 December 2023 |date=27 December 2023 |language=fr |title=Après les massacres du " Noël noir ", le centre du Nigeria en deuil réclame justice |trans-title=After the “Black Christmas” massacres, central Nigeria in mourning demands justice |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20231227-le-centre-du-nigeria-en-deuil-apr%C3%A8s-les-massacres-du-black-christmas-r%C3%A9clame-justice |website=Radio France internationale|archive-date=27 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227005006/https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20231227-le-centre-du-nigeria-en-deuil-apr%C3%A8s-les-massacres-du-black-christmas-r%C3%A9clame-justice |url-status=live}} as well as significant property damage.{{cite web |last= Asadu|first=Chinedu |date=26 December 2023 |title=At least 140 villagers killed by suspected herders in dayslong attacks in north-central Nigeria |url=https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-plateau-herdsmen-farmers-attack-9e9e9cf4615f6e31053881e8d2233bca |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=AP News |archive-date=26 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226134922/https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-plateau-herdsmen-farmers-attack-9e9e9cf4615f6e31053881e8d2233bca |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Aluwafemi |first=Ayodele |date=25 December 2023 |title=Many killed', properties razed as gunmen attack Plateau communities |url=https://www.thecable.ng/many-killed-properties-razed-as-gunmen-attack-plateau-communities/|access-date=25 December 2023 |website=The Cably |archive-date=25 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225152828/https://www.thecable.ng/many-killed-properties-razed-as-gunmen-attack-plateau-communities/|url-status=live }} Although no group claimed responsibility for the attacks, they are believed to have been committed by Fulani militias.

Background

{{further|Climate change in Nigeria|Herder–farmer conflicts in Nigeria|Nigerian bandit conflict|Southern Kaduna genocide}}

Plateau State is in Nigeria's Middle Belt and has a history of ethnic and religious conflicts, mainly between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farmers.{{cite news |last1=Eboh |first1=Camillus| last2=Ibrahim |first2=Hamza |date=27 December 2023 |title=Nigerian villagers missing two days after suspected nomadic herders kill 140 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigerian-villagers-missing-two-days-after-suspected-nomadic-herders-kill-140-2023-12-26/}} The bandit conflict began in 2011 as a result of disagreements over land ownership and grazing rights between the herders and farmers.{{cite web |last=Buba |first=Imrana |date=15 August 2023 |title=Bandits in Nigeria: how protection payments to militias escalate conflict in the north-west |url=http://theconversation.com/bandits-in-nigeria-how-protection-payments-to-militias-escalate-conflict-in-the-north-west-211224 |access-date=27 December 2023 |website=The Conversation |archive-date=27 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227204306/https://theconversation.com/bandits-in-nigeria-how-protection-payments-to-militias-escalate-conflict-in-the-north-west-211224 |url-status=live }} Banditry and insecurity are exacerbated by Nigeria's high fertility rate (5.3 as of 2023), with the large youth population suffering from unemployment and underemployment that makes them susceptible to radicalism and banditry.{{cite web |last=Adejoro |first=Lara |date=19 February 2023 |title=How Nigeria's high fertility rate promotes insecurity – Experts |url=https://punchng.com/how-nigerias-high-fertility-rate-promotes-insecurity-experts/ |access-date=27 December 2023 |website=Punch Newspapers |archive-date=27 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227182837/https://punchng.com/how-nigerias-high-fertility-rate-promotes-insecurity-experts/ |url-status=live }} Climate change and the expansion of agriculture also lead to increased conflict.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/26/africa/nigeria-plateau-killings-intl/index.html|title=At least 113 killed in attacks in central Nigeria, local officials say|date=26 December 2023|website=CNN|access-date=27 December 2023|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227201203/https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/26/africa/nigeria-plateau-killings-intl/index.html|url-status=live}} Previous attacks occurred in the region in April 2022 and May 2023.{{cite web |date=25 December 2023 |title=Plateau State govnor: How ova 115 pipo die for Plateau attacks, 64 communities displaced |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cgl41d3203go |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=BBC News Pidgin |archive-date=25 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225182455/https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cgl41d3203go |url-status=live }}

Miyetti Allah (MACBAN), an advocacy group for Fulani interests, accused state security personnel of colluding with farmers to attack Fulani herders. Muhammed Nuru Abdullahi, the state chairman of the MACBAN, claimed the violence began with a failed act of "cattle rustling" against Fulani on 23 December, where three cattle breeders were killed and the theft of 181 cows was attempted, and that 130 houses were burned in several Fulani villages on 24 December. He recommended that "in order to end the incessant clashes between farmers and herders, the Federal Government should establish ranches in Plateau State and other states of the Federation for animal husbandry."{{cite web|url=https://dailypost.ng/2023/12/27/killings-must-end-in-plateau-state-femi-falana-demands/|title='Killings must end in Plateau State' – Femi Falana demands|first=Fadehan|last=Oyeyemi|date=27 December 2023|website=Daily Post Nigeria|access-date=27 December 2023|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227201236/https://dailypost.ng/2023/12/27/killings-must-end-in-plateau-state-femi-falana-demands/|url-status=live}}

Attacks

At least 17 rural communities in the regions of Bokkos and Barkin Ladi were attacked on 23 and 24 December, leaving at least 200 people dead and over 500 wounded.{{cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=25 December 2023 |title=At least 160 dead and 300 wounded after attacks by armed gangs in Nigeria |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/25/attacks-by-military-gangs-in-nigeria |access-date=26 December 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=25 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225233806/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/25/attacks-by-military-gangs-in-nigeria |url-status=live }} The attackers, who used guns and machetes, burned houses and other property.{{cite news |last=Asadu |first=Chinedu |date=26 December 2023|title=At least 140 killed by suspected herders in dayslong attacks in north-central Nigeria |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/140-villagers-killed-suspected-herders-dayslong-attacks-north-105916103 |access-date=26 December 2023 |work=ABC News |archive-date=26 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226124938/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/140-villagers-killed-suspected-herders-dayslong-attacks-north-105916103 |url-status=live }} No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Since 2014, attacks on Hausa farmers in the region have been blamed on "semi-nomadic Fulani herders" who have "long complained that farmers are taking over grazing lands crucial to their survival".{{cite web |date=26 December 2023 |title=At least 140 villagers killed by suspected herders in weekend attacks in north-central Nigeria |url=https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-plateau-herdsmen-farmers-attack-9e9e9cf4615f6e31053881e8d2233bca |access-date=29 December 2023 |website=AP News |archive-date=26 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226134922/https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-plateau-herdsmen-farmers-attack-9e9e9cf4615f6e31053881e8d2233bca |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=2014-03-13 |title=Herders kill 100+ in Nigerian conflict over land |url=https://apnews.com/article/75c51d12560642a8b763355b493db4b5 |access-date=29 December 2023 |website=AP News |archive-date=27 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227110045/https://apnews.com/article/75c51d12560642a8b763355b493db4b5 |url-status=live }}

Aftermath

The Nigerian Army began "clearance operations" to find suspects in the attacks afterwards. Some victims reported that it took more than twelve hours for the security forces to respond after the attacks.{{cite web |date=26 December 2023 |title=Gunmen Kill at Least 140 Nigerian Villagers |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/gunmen-kill-at-least-140-nigerian-villagers-/7413577.html |website=Voice of America |access-date=27 December 2023 |archive-date=27 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227142600/https://www.voanews.com/a/gunmen-kill-at-least-140-nigerian-villagers-/7413577.html |url-status=live }}

The attacks prompted outrage, with residents demanding justice and government protection. Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the violence. His response faced criticism,{{cite web |title=Plateau State Governor, Mutfwang Laments How Terrorists Had Occupied Schools In Barkin Ladi For Five Years Before Attacks {{!}} Sahara Reporters |url=https://saharareporters.com/2023/12/26/plateau-state-governor-mutfwang-laments-how-terrorists-had-occupied-schools-barkin-ladi |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=saharareporters.com |archive-date=26 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226130233/https://saharareporters.com/2023/12/26/plateau-state-governor-mutfwang-laments-how-terrorists-had-occupied-schools-barkin-ladi |url-status=live }} and Amnesty International called for an independent investigation.{{cite web |last=Odeniyi |first=Solomon |date=26 December 2023 |title=Probe Plateau attack, Amnesty Int'l urges FG |url=https://punchng.com/probe-plateau-attack-amnesty-intl-urges-fg/ |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=Punch Newspapers |archive-date=26 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226173348/https://punchng.com/probe-plateau-attack-amnesty-intl-urges-fg/ |url-status=live }} The international community, including the United Nations, African Union, European Union, and the United States, expressed condemnation and offered support.{{cite web |date=26 December 2023 |title=Tinubu ya yi tir da harin Filato wanda aka kashe 'fiye da mutum 140' |trans-title=Tinubu condemns Plateau attack that killed 'more than 140 people' |url=https://www.bbc.com/hausa/articles/cm5034dry5po |access-date=26 December 2023 |website=BBC News Hausa |language=ha |archive-date=26 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226190811/https://www.bbc.com/hausa/articles/cm5034dry5po |url-status=live }}

After the attacks, photos of the 2022 Owo church attack circulated on social media with miscaptioned labels suggesting they were from the massacres in Plateau State.{{cite web |last1=Dutta|first1=Kolkata |last2=Jha|first2=Anuja Jha |date=27 December 2023 |title=Fact Check: No, these images ARE NOT from recent bandit attack in Nigeria that killed more than 100 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-no-these-images-are-not-from-recent-bandit-attack-in-nigeria-2481185-2023-12-27 |access-date=28 December 2023 |website=India Today |archive-date=28 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228203818/https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-no-these-images-are-not-from-recent-bandit-attack-in-nigeria-2481185-2023-12-27 |url-status=live }}

On 8 January 2024, around 5,000 Nigerian Christians rallied in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, to protest over insecurity. The protesters gathered outside of the office of the local governor of Jos to call for peace. Plateau State governor Caleb Mutfwang restated his vows to bring the perpetrators of the massacres to justice.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Nigerian Christians Rally Over Christmas Massacres |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/nigerian-christians-rally-over-christmas-massacres-c69f40bf |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Barron's |language=en-US |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523003335/https://www.barrons.com/news/nigerian-christians-rally-over-christmas-massacres-c69f40bf |url-status=live }}