Umogidi massacre
| Umogidi massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part of Herder-farmer conflicts in Nigeria | |
| Location | Umogidi, Otukpo LGA, Benue State, Nigeria |
| Date | April 7, 2023 |
| Target | Funeralgoers |
| Deaths | 53+ |
| Perpetrator | Fulani herdsmen |
On April 7, 2023, Fulani herdsmen attacked the remote village of Umogidi, Otukpo LGA, Benue State, Nigeria, killing at least 51 civilians during a funeral. The massacre occurred on the same day as a separate, unrelated massacre in Mgban by Fulani herdsmen.
Background
In Benue State, armed gangs of Fulani herdsmen have been in conflict with sedentary non-Fulani farmers for decades, but it wasn't until the late 2010s that the conflict really militarized.[1] Benue is part of Nigeria's Middle Belt, where Muslim and Christian groups coexist and often clash.[2] Otukpo LGA, where Umogidi is located, has been one of the LGA's in the state under siege by Fulani herdsmen.[3] Between March 3-7, Fulani herdsmen attacked several villages in Kwande LGA of Benue, killing over 50 people.[4] In the weeks leading up to the Umogidi attack, 15 people were killed in Ikobi and several other smaller attacks occurred.[3]
Massacre
At the time of the attack, many residents of Umogidi were attending the funeral of three people who had been killed a day prior.[5] The attackers entered the village on motorbike and shot at the funeralgoers before attacking the town's market.[6] The reason for the attack was unknown, and survivors of the attack said that Umogidi had had no prior problems with Fulani herders.[7] Initial casualty reports said that 46 people were killed, although the discovery of several more bodies increased that toll to 53.[8]
The head of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders' Association urged people to not immediately blame Fulani herders, but stated that he wasn't excluding the possibility of them being responsible.[8] A son of Bala Ejeh, the Otukpo LGA leader, was killed in the attack.[8] Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attack.[8] Benue governor Samuel Ortom visited Umogidi shortly after the massacre.[7]
References
- ↑ "Benue crisis: What you need to know about Nigeria's herder-farmer conflict". www.bbc.com. 2025-06-19. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- ↑ "The Politics of Eco-Violence: Why Is Conflict Escalating in Nigeria's Middle Belt?". www.royalholloway.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- 1 2 Oluwasanjo, Ahmed (2023-04-07). "18 out of 23 LGAs in Benue under siege by Fulani herdsmen: Ortom". Peoples Gazette. Abuja, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- ↑ "TRAC Incident Report: Locals Accuse Fulani Herdsmen of Killing 50 of the Settled Farming Population in Kwande, Benue State, Nigeria - 3-7 March 2023". TRAC. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- ↑ "Nigeria gunmen kill dozens in rural village in Benue State". 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- ↑ "Gunmen kill at least 50 in attacks on village in Nigeria". AP News. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- 1 2 Okogba, Emmanuel (2023-04-07). "Umogidi massacre: Ortom visits community, appeals for calm, vigilance". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
- 1 2 3 4 France-Presse, Agence (2023-04-07). "Gunmen kill at least 46 people in attack on rural village in Nigeria". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-08-18.