Reports indicate that dozens of ethnic Fulani herders have been killed in a cross-border security operation involving local militias from Nigeria and neighbouring Benin.
According to local sources, the operation took place in border communities around Niger State, where vigilante groups, allegedly supported by security personnel, carried out raids on Fulani settlements. The herders were accused of acting as informants for Ansaru, a jihadist group operating in parts of the region.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that security operatives conducted house-to-house searches, arresting suspected collaborators and reportedly using force against those who resisted.
Community leaders estimate that at least 41 individuals were killed, while others were detained.
A spokesperson for the Nigerian military said further details were being sought, while there has been no official confirmation regarding the involvement of Beninese forces.
The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in north-central Nigeria, where banditry and insurgent activity continue to fuel instability. Analysts warn that such actions risk deepening ethnic tensions and could potentially drive further recruitment into extremist groups.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into separate reports alleging the deaths of Fulani civilians in a military-run camp, underscoring growing concerns over civilian protection.
Local sources report that affected communities have since been deserted, with many residents fleeing the area amid fears of further violence.
