On March 25, 2026, a wave of violent attacks attributed to Fulani militias left entire communities in panic in north-central Nigeria
In a single day, the states of Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa registered serious incidents, with injuries, deaths, and property destruction, reinforcing the feeling of permanent insecurity among the region’s residents.
In Makurdi, the capital of Benue, the problem began around 6:15 PM, near Afubo Island, next to the Wadata market.
A simple argument over the price of a ticket on a motorized wooden canoe quickly escalated.
Fulani passengers reportedly called for armed reinforcements on land, who attacked the other passengers and local residents upon arrival.
Several people were seriously injured.
The canoe’s motor operator, Jerry Saleh, had his hand amputated.
Two brothers, Edoh and Adah Adikwu, were also seriously injured, as was another farmer.
The victims are being treated at the Federal Medical Center and Sandra Hospital in the city.
What most frightens residents is that the attack happened very close to important military installations, such as the Nigerian Army Engineering School and a Special Forces unit.
A resident of Makurdi summed up the general feeling: “We live in constant fear.
These attackers act right next to military bases and disappear without consequences, as if no one is protecting us.”
That same night, in Timga, a village on the outskirts of Ananum, in Donga County, Taraba, Fulani militiamen launched surprise attacks.
They arrived speaking Fulani and shouting “Allahu Akbar,” shooting and setting houses on fire.
Residents like Terdue Oeseer, Tyoar Christopher Mbahenyan, and Manasseh Tyozrnda lost everything they had.
The flames also spread to nearby areas, such as Gbagede.
No one died immediately because people ran into the bush and hid, but they were left with nothing.
A resident named Moses Peva recounted: “The Fulani attackers came at night, speaking in slang and shouting ‘Allahu Akbar,’ shooting and burning houses.
We had no choice but to flee into the bush.
Everything we owned is gone.”
In Mararaba Gurku, Nasarawa State, a common dispute between a Muslim Fulani herder and a local Christian farmer turned into tragedy.
The herder’s cattle invaded the plantation, and he even knocked down a mango tree.
During the argument, a Christian vigilante named Sunday Adeoye shot and killed a 17-year-old Fulani boy.
This provoked a revenge attack by the dead boy’s companions.
Houses, vehicles, and motorcycles were set on fire, and several people were injured.
When security forces intervened to control the situation, two more people died.
A local resident, Aboje Adoda, described the episode: “What began as a simple disagreement turned into a full-blown crisis.
Within hours, there were deaths, destroyed homes, and the entire community in panic.”
These cases illustrate a worrying pattern in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where long-standing disputes between Christian farmers and Muslim Fulani terrorists frequently escalate into armed violence.
The affected communities are predominantly Christian and live under constant tension, fearing further attacks and cycles of revenge.
Without a firm response from security authorities, the climate of fear is only likely to worsen, leaving families displaced and lives disrupted.
Published in 03/31/2026 01h12
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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