past work: nigeria: vigilantes of nigeria: VigilantesofNigeria_13

Barkin Ladi, Jos, Nigeria- Resident Idris Damina, 48, recalls the attack on his village by the Nigerian military outside the remains of Kandunya Village in Barkin Ladi, Nigeria. Villagers claim that Nigerian security forces from Operation Safe Haven burnt the village down the Sunday before last after attempts to question them about an earlier attack. The military denies setting fire to the village but admits that shots were returned when they were allegedly fired upon by villagers on their arrival. Over one thousand people have lost their lives this year due to an ongoing conflict between farmers and herders. The current crisis reflects the country's woes from over-population, poverty and climate change to religious division and ethnic favoritism. Growing animosity between ethnic groups coupled with a lack of security has fomented this increase in violence in recent years. Despite the divisive chaos engulfing the Middle Belt of Nigeria, a group of multi-ethnic men and women, part of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, are providing much needed security and trust to all groups affected by the conflict.

Barkin Ladi, Jos, Nigeria- Resident Idris Damina, 48, recalls the attack on his village by the Nigerian military outside the remains of Kandunya Village in Barkin Ladi, Nigeria. Villagers claim that Nigerian security forces from Operation Safe Haven burnt the village down the Sunday before last after attempts to question them about an earlier attack. The military denies setting fire to the village but admits that shots were returned when they were allegedly fired upon by villagers on their arrival.  

Over one thousand people have lost their lives this year due to an ongoing conflict between farmers and herders. The current crisis reflects the country's woes from over-population, poverty and climate change to religious division and ethnic favoritism. Growing animosity between ethnic groups coupled with a lack of security has fomented this increase in violence in recent years. Despite the divisive chaos engulfing the Middle Belt of Nigeria, a group of multi-ethnic men and women, part of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, are providing much needed security and trust to all groups affected by the conflict.