Nigerian militia kills Fulani herders in raid over jihadist informant accusations

Local sources have informed journalists that a Nigerian militia, supported by the state and collaborating with the military, carried out a deadly raid in central and northwestern Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of numerous ethnic Fulani herders. The operation, which included vigilantes from Benin near Niger State, targeted the herders due to allegations of their involvement with the jihadist group Ansaru. In a massacre around Kabe, situated in the adjacent Borgu area, the Nigerian vigilantes from Bussa district also conducted widespread arrests. Ahmad Ali, a community leader from Konkoso, reported that “security personnel killed 41 suspected Ansaru informants during the raids, with many others detained.” He noted that the operation was a coordinated effort involving local vigilantes, Benin's forces, and Nigerian soldiers. For years, central and northwestern Nigeria have faced threats from cattle rustling and kidnapping gangs allied with local jihadists.