Security forces kill 30 gunmen after armed attacks in northwest Nigeria
PBS NewsHour1 day
Nigerian Army Kills Scores of Militants in Multi-Front Operations
Above: Armed Nigerian army officers outside the Central Bank of Nigeria in Awka, Nigeria, on Feb. 24, 2023. Image copyright: Patrick Meinhardt/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Military operations show decisive action against terrorism and banditry plaguing Nigerian communities. Security forces demonstrate superior tactics and coordination, successfully neutralizing hundreds of militants while protecting civilians. These victories prove that sustained military pressure can defeat criminal networks and restore peace to affected regions.
Government-critical narrative
Despite military actionism and claims of success, violence continues escalating, with over 2,000 killed this year alone. Security forces arrive after attacks occur, leaving communities defenseless against well-armed gangs. The humanitarian crisis deepens as displaced populations lack adequate shelter, healthcare, and education in overcrowded camps.
Narrative C
The surge in violence is also rooted in the conflict between Fulani herders and farming communities. The conflict stems from competition for resources such as land and water, and has intensified due to factors such as climate change, cattle rustling, and population growth. Only if the Fulani-farmer conflict is resolved alongside the fight against Boko Haram can peace be achieved for Nigeria.