Nigeria is still the third most terrorised country in the world, according to the 2018 Global Terrorism Index.
The report, released on Wednesday, blamed the spate of terrorism in Nigeria and the “increase in violence involving Fulani extremists even as deaths committed by Boko Haram are falling”.
Nigeria is ranked only below Iraq and Afghanistan, both in first and second positions respectively.
In 2018 alone, hundreds of Nigerians have been killed in attacks by
suspected herdsmen as well as clashes between the herders and
farmers/communities.
States worst hit in the attacks are Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, and Taraba, among others.
The report, however, noted that when compared to the peak of “terrorist deaths” in 2014, “the
largest falls in the number of deaths occurred in Iraq, Nigeria, and
Pakistan, with falls of 6,466, 5,950, and 912 deaths respectively”.
“Boko Haram, once the world’s deadliest terror group, has
experienced a significant decline since its peak in 2014. However, the
group remains the most active terrorist organisation in Nigeria and
until 2017 was the deadliest terror group in sub-Saharan Africa,” the
report said.
“Nigeria’s counterterrorism response in combatting Boko Haram
has been interrupted by the emergence of other extremist groups, most
notably the Fulani herder extremists.
“The Fulani herder extremists have attacked civilians and
military forces in the country. However, the sizeable drop in deaths and
terror incidents since 2014 indicate the success of Nigeria’s Civilian
Join Task Force and international coalitions.
“Alongside its counterinsurgency plan, the Nigerian government
also struggles with negotiations and reintegration efforts regarding its
long-term strategy to deal with Boko Haram and its associates.”
HEADWAY IN SIGHT?
President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly blamed the herdsmen-related killings on climate change.
He also says some militants infiltrated herders, after entering the country through Libya.
While the clashes between the herders and farmers have been blamed
on open grazing, some Nigerians have proposed ranching as a way out.
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