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Killings in Southern Kaduna
Overview
Killings in Southern Kaduna refers to a prolonged series of attacks on predominantly Christian indigenous communities in the Southern Kaduna region of Kaduna State, Nigeria, beginning around 2011 and continuing into the 2020s. According to the Wikipedia article compiling multiple press and advocacy sources, the violence has been linked by local advocacy groups to disputes following the 2011 Nigerian general elections, subsequent political developments in Kaduna State, and proposals for Fulani grazing reserves in the region.
Political and Social Background
The article traces early tensions to the 2011 election period, the tenure of Governor Patrick Yakowa — the first Christian and Southern Kaduna indigene to hold the office — and his death in a 2012 helicopter crash. Subsequent governors, including Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and Nasir el-Rufai, presided over periods marked by recurring attacks attributed by local sources to Fulani herdsmen. Governor el-Rufai stated in 2016 that Fulani groups from Sahel countries had been paid to stop attacks tied to grievances over cattle killed during the 2011 unrest; this account was publicly disputed by Senator Danjuma Laah, who represented Kaduna South.
Grazing Reserve Disputes
El-Rufai proposed creating cattle grazing reserves across Kaduna State, including significant hectares in Southern Kaduna. The Southern Kaduna People's Union (SOKAPU) opposed the plan, stating it was a driver of renewed violence, while the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) denied this link. SOKAPU documented what it described as thousands of deaths in dozens of attacks between 2011 and 2016.
Attacks on Communities and Leaders
The Wikipedia article documents numerous specific incidents, including the killing of traditional ruler HH Gambo Makama and his pregnant wife on 1 January 2018; the kidnapping and later killing of the Agom Adara, Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima, in 2018; a Christmas Eve 2016 attack on the village of Goska that killed several people including a 14-year-old girl; and a 2020 killing of a young man whose body was found in the Kaduna River. Local associations such as SOKAPU and the Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA) have compiled cumulative figures over multiple years describing hundreds of deaths, displaced persons, and destroyed villages, attributing responsibility to Fulani armed groups referred to in reporting as "herdsmen" or "bandits."
Arrests of Journalists and Activists
Several journalists and commentators who reported on or criticized the state government's handling of the killings were arrested and detained, including Jacob Onjewu Dickson, John Danfulani, Luka Binniyat (arrested twice), and Stephen Kefas. The Committee to Protect Journalists called for Binniyat's release in 2021.
Later Developments
Following el-Rufai's exit from office in May 2023, incoming Governor Uba Sani's administration moved to resettle displaced Southern Kaduna communities based on a November 2023 Security Council recommendation. Cultural festivals in the region, previously halted, resumed in late 2023 and 2024.
Key facts
- Victims
- Luka Ubangari, Gambo Makama, Yusuf, Anna Morik, Gambo Sule, Benjamin Auta, Raphael Maiwada Galadima
- Date
- 2010
- Location
- Southern Kaduna region, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- Case status
- ongoing
Case timeline
2010
Goodluck Jonathan becomes President of Nigeria after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
2011
Post-election violence following the 2011 presidential election spreads across northern Nigeria; Patrick Yakowa elected Kaduna State governor.
2012
Governor Patrick Yakowa dies in a helicopter crash; Mukhtar Ramalan Yero becomes governor.
2016-08-25
SOKAPU issues a press statement alleging genocidal killings in Southern Kaduna and calling for el-Rufai's resignation.
2016-10-15
Fulani groups reportedly attack Godogodo communities.
2016-12
Governor el-Rufai states in an interview that payments were made to Fulani groups from Sahel countries to stop killings.
2016-12-24
Attack on Goska village kills 14-year-old Anna and five others; homes and cars burned.
2017-03-16
Gideon Morik, former Deputy Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, dies weeks after the Goska attack.
2017-07
SOKAPU spokesman Luka Binniyat is arrested and detained for over 100 days, released in October 2017.
2018-01-01
Traditional ruler HH Gambo Makama and his pregnant wife are killed in Arak village, Sanga LGA.
2018-01-03
Agom Akulu HH Yohanna Sidi Kukah is kidnapped; later released.
2018-10
Agom Adara Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima is kidnapped; he is later killed by his captors.
2019-05-08
Journalist Stephen Kefas is arrested and later remanded in Kaduna prison.
2020-06-10
Mutilated body of a 30-year-old man, Yusuf, found at the bank of the Kaduna River.
2021-03
Soldiers open fire on women protesting arrests in Kanai district, Atyap Chiefdom, killing at least one woman on the spot.
2021-11-04
Luka Binniyat is arrested a second time in Kaduna.
2022-02
MACBAN chairman in Kaduna reports killings of Fulani herders and losses of livestock in Southern Kaduna.
2022-02-03
Luka Binniyat is released.
2023-05-01
Atyap Community Development Association holds a press conference citing cumulative figures of villages destroyed and people killed since 2017.
2023-05-29
Governor el-Rufai proscribes the ACDA shortly before leaving office; Uba Sani becomes governor.
2023-11-08
Kaduna State Security Council recommends resettlement of displaced Southern Kaduna communities.
2023-12-28
Maiden Southern Kaduna Cultural Festival (SKFEST) held in Kafanchan.
2024-03
SOKAPU welcomes inauguration of a 10-man resettlement committee under Governor Uba Sani.
Best coverage
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People
Dominic Onyemulu
LAW ENFORCEMENTMajor General and Commander of Nigerian Army Operation Safe Haven, reported by SOKAPU to have overseen the arrest of about 15 Atyap community leaders in March 2021.
Luka Ubangari
VICTIMPastor killed by suspected herdsmen following a governor's visit to affected communities in 2016.
Jacob Onjewu Dickson
CHARGEDJournalist arrested in April 2016 after reporting on an incident involving Governor el-Rufai.
Gambo Makama
VICTIMTraditional ruler (Etum Numana) killed with his pregnant wife in Arak village on 1 January 2018.
Yusuf
VICTIM30-year-old man found dead, mutilated, at the bank of the Kaduna River on 10 June 2020.
Anna Morik
VICTIM14-year-old killed in the Christmas Eve 2016 attack on Goska village.
Gambo Sule
VICTIMKilled in the Ningon Community in 2016, according to SOKAPU account.
Luka Binniyat
CHARGEDSOKAPU spokesman arrested and detained twice (2017 and 2021) over his reporting and criticism of the state government's handling of attacks.
John Danfulani
CHARGEDFormer lecturer arrested in October 2016 for a Facebook post criticizing the state government; detained 13 days.
Nasir el-Rufai
LAW ENFORCEMENTGovernor of Kaduna State (2015–2023) whose administration's policies on grazing reserves, chieftaincy restructuring, and security response are described in connection with the events.
Stephen Kefas
CHARGEDJournalist arrested in May 2019 and remanded in Kaduna prison over a repost concerning the kidnap and killing of the Agom Adara.
Benjamin Auta
VICTIMKilled in the Ningon Community in 2016, according to SOKAPU account.
Raphael Maiwada Galadima
VICTIMTraditional ruler (Agom Adara) kidnapped in 2018 and killed by his captors.
Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.
Places
Common questions
- What happened to the victim?
- Since the early 2010s, Southern Kaduna communities in Nigeria's Kaduna State have experienced repeated attacks attributed to Fulani herdsmen groups, along with kidnappings and killings of local chiefs, journalists, and residents, amid disputes over grazing reserves, land, and political power.
- Where did the killings happen?
- Southern Kaduna region, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
- What is the current status of the case?
- Status: ongoing.
Related cases
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Sources
- Killings in Southern Kadunawikipedia · Wikipedia · 2026-07-07
- Contemporaneous coverage — state.govnews · state.gov · 2026-07-07
- Contemporaneous coverage — vanguardngr.comnews · vanguardngr.com · 2026-07-07