EXPLAINER: Is Social Media Responsible for Escalating Tensions After Armed Herders’ Attacks in Benue State?

 

Benue State has witnessed recurring attacks attributed to armed herders, particularly in communities across Guma, Logo, Ukum, Apa, Agatu, Gwer West and other Local Government Areas. These attacks have resulted in the loss of lives, displacement of residents and destruction of properties. Highlighting these orgy of violence is the Social Media which has become a major source of information dissemination, with users sharing videos, photographs and eyewitness accounts in real time.

While social media has helped draw national and international attention to the humanitarian crisis in Benue, it has also become a channel for spreading misinformation, recycled images, false casualty figures and inflammatory narratives capable of escalating tensions.

This explainer examines whether social media is responsible for escalating tensions after the attacks.

CLAIM

“Social media is responsible for escalating tensions after armed herders’ attacks in Benue State.”

This suggests that platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and WhatsApp are driving violence and worsening the security situation.

VERIFICATION

Social media amplifies misinformation during armed herders’ attacks in Benue.

Research shows that false information circulated online has contributed to fear, anger and retaliatory narratives during the farmers-herders conflict in Benue.

A study by A.K. Okwori (2020) found that fake news and unverified reports shared on social media deepened ethnic and religious divisions and influenced public reactions to the conflict.

Source:
 https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/1077

Misinformation can intensify conflict.

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa) identifies misinformation, disinformation and hate speech as major threats to social cohesion in conflict-affected communities. The organisation has trained journalists, community influencers and media practitioners in Benue on verification techniques to prevent false information from escalating violence. (YouTube)

Sources:

• https://www.cddwestafrica.org/reports/
• https://cddfactcheck.org

Conflicts in Benue have multiple causes including social media.

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) notes that violence in Benue is primarily driven by farmer-herder disputes over land and water resources, armed attacks, criminality, kidnappings and communal conflicts. While misinformation complicates humanitarian and security responses, it is not identified as the root cause of the violence. (European Union Agency for Asylum)

Source:
 https://www.euaa.europa.eu/nigeria-security-situation/211-benue

Weak institutions and inflammatory narratives worsen insecurity.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa) argues that violence in Nigeria’s North Central region is worsened by weak institutional responses, poor governance, inflammatory rhetoric and misinformation. These factors reinforce one another and create an environment where false information spreads rapidly.

Source:
 https://issafrica.org/iss-today/nigerias-north-central-violence-reveals-systemic-state-failure

Conflict-monitoring organisations warn against misinformation.

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) documents violent incidents across Benue and has consistently warned that misinformation and sensational reporting increase panic, undermine public trust and can inflame communal tensions during periods of violence. (X (formerly Twitter))

Sources:

• https://thecjid.org
• https://factcheck.thecjid.org

Why does misinformation spread quickly after attacks?

During violent incidents:

• People seek information before official statements are released.
• Old videos and photographs are often reposted as new incidents.
• Casualty figures may be exaggerated or understated.
• Ethnic or religious narratives may be promoted without evidence.
• Graphic content spreads rapidly, triggering fear and anger.

These factors can increase tensions and encourage retaliatory actions if left unchecked.

What should citizens do?

To reduce the spread of misinformation:

• Verify information before sharing it.
• Rely on credible media organisations and official security agencies.
• Use reverse image search tools to check viral photographs.
• Avoid sharing graphic content without verification.
• Report misleading or false content on social media platforms.

Verdict

TRUE

Available evidence indicates that social media has contributed to escalating tensions following armed herders’ attacks in Benue by amplifying misinformation, hate speech and unverified claims. However, it is inaccurate to conclude that social media is solely responsible for the violence. The conflict is rooted in longstanding disputes over land and resources, armed attacks, criminality, governance challenges and security failures. Social media acts primarily as an amplifier of these underlying problems rather than their primary cause. (European Union Agency for Asylum)

This piece  was produced in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) as part of its Media Fellowship in Benue State.

#CDDWestAfrica #TruthNaPower #fightfakeNews #VerifyBeforeYouShare.

References

1. University of Rwanda. Case of Farmers/Herders Conflicts in Benue State.
   https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/1077
2. Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa).
   https://www.cddwestafrica.org/reports/
3. CDD Fact Check.
   https://cddfactcheck.org
4. European Union Agency for Asylum. Nigeria Security Situation – Benue.
   https://www.euaa.europa.eu/nigeria-security-situation/211-benue
5. Institute for Security Studies.
   https://issafrica.org/iss-today/nigerias-north-central-violence-reveals-systemic-state-failure
6. Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
   https://thecjid.org
7. CJID Fact Check.
   https://factcheck.thecjid.org