Violence in Benue, Plateau States Escalates Middle Belt Crisis

A report by Nextier Consult, authored by Bernard Basason and Jamilu Musa, indicates that renewed violence in Benue and Plateau states is deepening the crisis in Nigeria's Middle Belt. The report highlights that Benue State has become a flashpoint for deadly farmer-herder clashes, with a coordinated attack in June 2025 reportedly killing 200 people in the Guma Local Government Area.

In 2021, at least 930 people died due to farmer-herder violence in the state, displacing half a million residents. Plateau State has also experienced similar cycles of violence, with gunmen killing at least 52 people in April 2025 within the Mwaghavul chiefdom, contributing to over 1,100 deaths recorded in 2021.

The report emphasizes that the conflict is fueled by historical land disputes, weak governance, and competition for resources, urging a shift from reactive security measures to comprehensive reforms in land governance and rural policy to disrupt illicit funding networks and establish inclusive peace committees.