Five Christian youths were recently sentenced to death by hanging for killing a Fulani herder, himself alleged to have killed 48 people.
The five are from Adamawa state in northeast Nigeria, one of the three states most severely hit by the Boko Haram insurgency. Many fled Boko Haram, only to be targeted again, this time by mainly Muslim Fulani herders, responsible for more violence than Boko Haram over the past three years. Dr Atta Barkindo*, who has researched the area widely, analysed some of the root causes behind the inter-ethnic, inter-religious conflict.
Breakdown of law and order
At first sight, the failure of the Nigerian security services has left families and communities vulnerable to herdsmen’s attacks. This has then created a culture of impunity, completely eroding any trust communities have for their government and security services. The government and security services are seen as complicit in crimes against mainly Christian communities.
