The following is a list of massacres that have occurred in over the past number of years in Nigeria (numbers may be approximate):
| Name | Date | Location | Deaths | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiv Riots | 1960-1964 | Benue valley, Northern region, now Benue State | Unknown number of victims | Occurred during protests for the creation of Benue state from the Northern region[1] | |
| 1966 Anti-Igbo pogrom | July and August 1966 | Northern Nigeria | 8000-30,000[2] | Targeted killings of Igbo people in Northern Nigeria in revenge for the coup of January 15, 1966.[3] | |
| Asaba massacre | 1967-10-07 | Asaba, Delta State | Up to 500 men[4] | Occurred during the Nigerian-Biafran War[5] [6] | |
| Ugep Massacre | 1975-12-24 | Ugep, Cross River State | 65> | Occurred after soldiers accused towns people of murdering a drunk soldier[7] | |
| Bakolori Massacre | 1980-4-28 | Bakolori, Zamfara State | 380 | The government of the defunct Sokoto State wanted to build a dam in Bakolori, (Bakolori Dam) and offered to resettle the people. They refused and the police moved in to forcefully resettle them.[8] | |
| Umuechem Massacre | 1990-11-1 | Umuechem, Rivers State | ~85 | After a protest at Shell's office by youths of the town demanding for electricity, water, roads and compensation following environmental degradation, the police moved in and massacred the town.[9] | |
| Odi massacre | 1999-11-20 | Odi, Bayelsa State | 43[10] -2,500[11] | Nigerian military attacked the village of Odi, as part of the Conflict in the Niger Delta. | |
| 2000 Kaduna riots | 2000-02-21 to 2000-05-23 | Kaduna | 2,000[12] [13] –5,000[14] | Religious riots between Christians and Muslims over the introduction of sharia law in Kaduna State, start of the religious riots phase of the Sharia conflict in Nigeria. | |
| 2001 Jos riots | 2001-09-07 to 2001-09-17 | Jos | 500–5000[15] | Religious riots between Christians and Muslims. | |
| Zaki Biam Massacre | 2001-10-20 to 2001-10-24 | Benue State | Over 200[16] | Attack by the Nigerian Army avenging the kidnapping and killing of 19 soldiers by suspected Tiv militia[17] | |
| Miss World riots | 2002-11-22 | Kaduna | 200+[18] | Inter-religious riots that started on 22 November in Kaduna, along with many houses of worship being burned by religious zealots. Cause: article in Thisday about the 2002 Miss World beauty contest (to be held in Abuja), in which Muslims took offence. | |
| Yelwa massacre | 2004-02 to 2004-05 | Yelwa, Shendam and Kano | c. 975[19] | Religiously motivated killings between Christians and Muslims. | |
| Muhammad cartoons crisis | 2006-02-18 | Maiduguri | 50+[20] | The international crisis reached the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, in which over 50 people were killed and many buildings destroyed or damaged by rioting Muslims, outraged because of cartoons about Muhammad in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. | |
| 2008 Ogaminana massacre | 2008-02-26 | Ogaminana, Kogi State | over 50 | ...police descended on Ogaminana at 8.30 pm on February 26, killing and brutalizing mostly elderly men, women and children in a reprisal attack that has sent shock and outrage throughout the country.[21] | |
| 2008 Jos riots | 2008-11-28,29 | Jos | 381[22] | Religious riots between Christians and Muslims over the result of a local election. | |
| 2009 Boko Haram uprising | 2009-07 | Maiduguri, Bauchi, Potiskum, Wudil | 1,000+[23] | Militants killed over a thousand people between 26 and 29 July; during the violence[24] | |
| 2010 Jos riots | 2010 | Jos | 992 | Religious rioting[25] | |
| 2011 Abuja United Nations bombing | 2011-08-26 | Abuja | 116[26] | 312 injured; Boko Haram attacked a United Nations compound | |
| 2011 Damaturu attacks | 2011-11-04 | Damaturu | 100-150[27] | Islamic militants associated with Boko Haram attacked police stations and banks | |
| December 2011 Nigeria clashes | 2011-12 | Maiduguri and Damaturu | 68+[28] | Militants associated with Boko Haram clashed with security forces between 22 and 23 December | |
| December 2011 Northern Nigeria attacks | 2011-12-25 | Madalla | 41+[29] | 73 injured;Militants bombed a Catholic church | |
| January 5–6, 2012 Nigeria attacks | 2012-01-05,06 | Mubi, Yola, Gombi, and Maiduguri | 37+[30] | Terrorists attacked communities; Boko Haram claimed responsibility | |
| January 20, 2012 Nigeria attacks | 2012-01-20 | Kano | 185[31] | Terrorists attacked government installations including police stations and barracks, Immigration offices etc.; Boko Haram claimed responsibility | |
| April 2012 Kaduna bombings | 2012-04-08 | Kaduna | 38[32] | Terrorists bombed a community | |
| June 2012 Kaduna church bombings | 2012-06-07 | Kaduna, Wusasa, and Sabon Gari | 12[33] -19[34] | 80 injured; Islamic terrorists bombed three churches | |
| Deeper Life Church shooting | 2012-08-07 | Okene | 19[35] | Militants attacked a community | |
| December 2012 shootings in Northern Nigeria | 2012-12-25 | Abuja | 27[36] [37] | Militants attacked a community | |
| 2013 Baga massacre | 2013-04-19,20 | Baga, Borno | 228+[38] | Identity of the perpetrators remains unclear; some blame the Nigerian military while others blame the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram[39] | |
| Yobe State school shooting | 2013-07-06 | Mamudo government secondary school | 30[40] | Suspected Boko Haram terrorists killed at least 41 children and one teacher[41] | |
| Gujba college massacre | 2013-09-29 | Gujba Yobe school | 50[42] | At 1:00 a.m. suspected gunmen from Boko Haram entered the male dormitory in the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State, Nigeria, killing at least forty-four students and teachers. | |
| Kawuri massacre | 2014-01-11 | Konduga Local Government, Borno State | 85[43] | Attack by Boko Haram | |
| February 2014 Konduga massacre | 2014-02-11 | Konduga, Borno | 39 | About 39 people are believed to have been killed in an attack by Militants on a Nigerian town.Local residents said the attack on Konduga, Borno, lasted several hours, beginning shortly before sundown with the arrival of gunmen in 4x4 trucks. A mosque and more than 1,000 homes were razed to the ground, residents said.[44] | |
| Federal Government College Buni Yadi attack | 2014-02-25 | Federal Government College Buni Yadi, Yobe State | 59 | Islamist gunmen killed 59 students at a boarding school in Yobe State.[45] | |
| April 2014 Abuja attacks | 2014-04-14 | Bus Stand, Abuja, Nigeria | 71 | Two bombs exploded in a crowded bus station in the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria.[46] | |
| 2014 Gamboru Ngala massacre | 2014-05-06 | Gamboru, Borno, Nigeria | 300+[47] | Militants attacked at night and set houses ablaze. When people tried to escape, they were shot dead.[48] | |
| Gwoza massacre | 2014-06-02 | Gwoza, Borno, Nigeria | 200-300[49] | Boko Haram attack on Christian villagers | |
| 2014 Kano bombing | 2014-06-23 | Kano, Nigeria | 200+ | Dozens of people were killed in a bomb blast at Kano State School of Hygiene. The blast was attributed to militant group Boko Haram by the locals.[50] | |
| Zaria Quds Day massacres | 2014-07-25/26 | Zaria, Kaduna State | 34 [51] | ||
| 2015 Baga massacre | 2015-01-03,04,05,06,07 | Baga, Borno | At least 100, over 2,000 "unaccounted for" | ||
| 2015-2016 Killing of Biafran Protesters | 2015-08-30 to 2016-02-09 | Several including Onitsha and Aba, Igboland | 80+ | Over 80 protesters agitating for the secession of the Biafran region from Nigeria have been killed en masse by Nigerian security operatives, while more than 400 others have been arrested, detained or imprisoned[52] | |
| 2015 Zaria massacre | 2015-12-12,13 | Zaria, Kaduna State | 700-1000 | Nigerian army open fire on the Shiite minority when they were conducting a religious procession.[53] | |
| Lekki massacre | 2020-10-206:50pm | Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State | More than 12 dead, hundreds severely injured according to Amnesty International, disputed by government.[54] [55] Also, few people were still missing days after the massacre. A development which backed up the claim by eyewitnesses that the army took some corpses after the shooting. | Nigerian army opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate while they were peacefully seated, singing the National anthem and proudly waving their flags. | |
| Koshebe massacre | 2020-11-28 | Jere, Maiduguri, Borno State | 76 | Boko Haram fighters massacred 76 farmers. The attacks were carried out in retribution for farmers cooperating with the Nigerian military.[56] |
| Date | Location | Deaths | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State | 23 | 23 people were killed in a retaliatory attack by bandits on Tunga and Kabaje villages in Kaura Namoda LGA, after the death of their suspected ally.[57] [58] | ||
| Rabah, Sokoto State | 25 | Kalhu, Tsage and Geeri villages in Rabah LGA were attacked by bandits during the night. The attack went on till morning, killing 25 people.[59] [60] | ||
| Maru, Zamfara State | 16 | 16 people celebrating Eid al-Fitr were killed by unidentified bandits in Kanoma community of Maru LGA.[61] [62] | ||
| Satiru, Sokoto State | 18 | Satiru village of Sokoto state was attacked by bandits, killing 18 people.[63] [64] | ||
| Shiroro, Niger State | 47 confirmed dead | Eight farming and herding villages in Shiroro LGA were attacked on 9 June by bandits, who also stole 525 cattle. Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed finding 47 corpses. Permanent Secretary of Niger State for cabinet and Security, Aliyu Isah Ekan, claimed only 12 have been killed.[65] Senator David Uamru had claimed 70 were killed.[66] | ||
| Shinkafi, Zamfara State | 34 | Police confirmed deaths of 34 people in a bandit attack on Tungar Kafau and Gidan Wawa in Shinkafi LGA.[67] | ||
| Katsina State | 47 | Mass murders and robberies in three locations. | ||
| Plateau State | 4 | Messiah College High School was closed due to COVID-19, but the attackers stormed the on-campus home of the school's leader. He was shot in the head, while his wife was shot in the back and his two children were shot in the feet. They survived the wounds.[68] | ||
| Kebbi state | 88 | Cattle thieves attacked seven villages killing 88 people.[69] | ||
| Oyo state | 50 | In Igangan village, a group of bandits invaded and killed 50 people.[70] | ||
| Zamfara State | 200+ | Bandits launched a campaign of massacres on civilians, resulting in heavy casualties. | ||
| April 10, 2022 | Plateau State | 150+ | The 2022 Plateau State massacres are linked to the ongoing Nigerian bandit conflict.[71] | |
| May 6, 2022 | Zamfara State | 48 | Bandits attacked the villages of Damri, Sabon Garin and Kalahe in Zamfara, killing at least 48 people.[72] [73] [74] |
| Date | Location | Deaths | Perpetrator | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plateau State | 86 | Christian farmers and Muslim herders | Riots in Nigeria between Muslim herders and Christian farmers. Total 86 dead.[75] | ||
| Kaduna State | 55 | Christian Adara and Hausa Muslim youths | A market dispute led to the deaths of two people. In return a communal conflict erupted, Adaras attacked Hausa, killing dozens. The riots left a total of 55 people dead.[76] | ||
| Guma, Benue State | Unknown | Jukun and Tiv attackers | Many people were killed amidst a communal conflict between Jukun and Tiv people in Guma LGA of Benue State.[77] [78] | ||
| Zamfara State | 7 herders | Vigilantes | Seven herders were burnt by a team of vigilantes alongside their cows.[79] | ||
| Zamfara State | 26 | Herders (suspected) | 7 villages in Zamfara State were attacked and 26 killed in suspected revenge for killing of seven herders a week before. | ||
| Kajuru, Kaduna State | 141 (130 Fulani and 11 Adara) | Fulani herdsmen and Adara militia | 2019 Kaduna State massacre Part of the communal violence leading up to the 2019 election. The government said 130 Fulani were killed,. 11 Adara were also killed. Miyetti Allah said 66 Fulani were buried and 65 remain missing.[80] [81] [82] [83] | ||
| Ebete, Agatu, Kaduna State | 17 | Fulani herdsmen | 17 people were killed in an attack by militants on Ebete in Agatu LGA of Benue State.[84] [85] | ||
| Karamai, Kajuru, Kaduna State | 40 Adara | Fulani herdsmen | At least 29 people were reported to be killed in an attack in Karamai community of Kajuru. The attack was suspected to be from Fulani in retaliation to the earlier violence where Fulani settlements were attacked. The governor confirmed a few days later that the death toll had risen to 40.[86] [87] | ||
| Gwer West, Benue State | 16 farmers | Fulani herdsmen | Herdsmen killed 16 in an attack on Gwer West LGA. The government blamed the attack on allegations of theft of cows by livestock guards made by the military. Residents said the herdsmen brought along many cattle and took over their lands for grazing after killing people.[88] [89] [90] [91] | ||
| Bassa, Kogi State | 20 Bassa Kwomu | Egburra Mozum militia | 20 Bassa Kwomu were killed in an attack by an Egburra Mozum militia in Bassa LGA, Kogi State.[92] [93] | ||
| Aungwan Barde, Kajuru, Kaduna State | 16-35 | Adara Militants | Police have put the death toll at 16 in attack by suspected militants. However, the Adara Development Association has claimed an upwards of 35 killed.[94] | ||
| Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State | 17 | Unknown | 17 vigilantes were ambushed and killed by unidentified gunmen in the mainly Muslim area of Birnin Gwari as they stole cattle.[95] [96] [97] | ||
| Maro, Kajuru, Kaduna State | 16-52 Adara | Fulani herdsmen | The police have put the death toll at 16 in an attack by suspected herdsmen in Kajuru. However, the Adara Development Association has claimed an upwards of 52 killed in Inkirimi and Dogonnoma villages in Maro. Another version of the attack by a source claimed 46 people were killed in Aungwan Gamu. The police have however not confirmed the claims.[98] | ||
| Nandu-Gbok, Sanga LGA, Kaduna State | 10 Adara | Fulani herdsmen | 10 people were confirmed killed in Nandu-Gbok village of Sanga LGA after an attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Residents suspect it is in revenge for an earlier attack where they say at least 11 cows and 28 sheep belonging to Fulani were slaughtered in the same area before the election.[99] [100] | ||
| Biase, Cross Rivers State | 4 | Ikwo militias | Four people were killed in an attack on communities of Biase LGA of Cross River State by Ikwo warlords in revenge for burning down of their communities.[101] [102] | ||
| Agatu, Benue State | Several Agbaduma people | Militia hired by Egba, Abogbe and Ologba | Several persons were killed during a communal conflict that erupted over ownership of lands. The police has stated that militiamen hired by Egba, Abogbe and Ologba people attacked the Okokolo area inhabited by Agbaduma people.[103] [104] | ||
| Guma, Benue State | 5-10 | Militants | The Nigerian police have said five people were recorded as having died in a suspected herdsman attack in Tse Ioreleegeb village, part of Guma LGA of Benue State. The Guma LGA chairman has claimed 10 were killed[105] [106] | ||
| Khana, Rivers State | 5 | Iceland group (suspected) | Five people were confirmed to have been killed by suspected Iceland group members in a cult attack on Kono Boue in Khana LGA. The cause is suspected to be retaliation for killing of their member.[107] [108] | ||
| Jos North, Plateau State | 5 | Christian and Muslim youth | Intercommunal violence occurred between Christian and Muslim youth. According to a resident, after the discovery of two dead boys from Angwan Miango over the past week at the border between it and Rikkos, a Hausa community, the people went on reprisal killings against Muslims.[109] [110] Five people were killed as a result in the ensuing clashes.[111] Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association, however, claimed deaths of 30 Christians.[112] Federal Government of Nigeria has introduce RUGA settlement to cub conflicts between the Herdsmen and Farmer in Plateau State.[113] | ||
| Tegina Kabata, Shiroro County | 12 | Militants | 12 people killed during the wedding with five people captured including the bride and groom.[114] | ||
| Nasarawa State | 50 | Fulani herdsmen | 2021 Nasarawa massacre At least 50 Tiv civilians were killed in Nasarawa state,[115] due to Fulani herdersmen blaming Tiv farmers for the killings of a kinsman.[116] | ||
| May 5, 2022 | Ondo State | 50 | ISWAP or Fulani herdsmen (disputed) | Over 50 people were killed in a massacre carried out in a Catholic Church on Pentecost Sunday.[117] The Government has blamed ISWAP for the murders, but locals suspect Fulani Herdsmen. |