SUMMARY
The non-state conflicts in Nigeria’s Plateau State, most notably in Jos town (as well as neighboring Taraba state and adjacent Adamawa state) are connected to a larger pattern of tensions between ethnic and religious communities. The states are home to over 30 distinct ethnic communities, which have coexisted in relative peace for a long time. Around the turn of the century, however, conflicts started to arise over land ownership and access to political and economic power. At the root of these conflicts is the notion of "indigeneity", which often serves as the basis for citizenship, land ownership and political power. This has led to recurring conflicts between groups perceived as indigenous to the area and groups that have migrated to the region more recently. These tensions have been further exacerbated by religious differences and perceived marginalization.
The other dyads that belong to the same Plateau state cluster of non-state conflicts are; Afisare, Anaguta, Birom - Fulani, Hausa, Hausa – Tarok, Fulani – Mambila, Azara – Tiv, Junkun – Tiv, Karimjo – Fulani, Gamai – Pan and Birom – Fulani, Hausa.
The conflict between the Kwala and Tiv ethnic groups in Nigeria was, as many conflicts in Nigeria, a result of rumors and hearsay with the effect of violence spiraling out of control. In this conflict the alleged killing of a Kwala man in the previous year was to be avenged. During the retaliation of the alleged murder the situation escalated beyond control. In the four days of fighting in April 2001 approximately 50 persons lost their lives. Thousands of people fled as a result of the fighting. In addition to the loss of life several houses were destroyed as the groups clashed. The fighting took place in the village of Kendi in Plateau State.
The Kwala - Tiv conflict must also be viewed in the broader spectrum of the ethnic and religious non-state conflicts that have ravaged Nigeria in the past and intensified with the end of military rule, from 1999 and onwards. The conflicts throughout Nigeria have ethnic, political, economic, and religious components, which have become inextricably linked over time, pitting various groups and alliances of groups against each other along different dividing lines.
The reporting of the fighting was scarce and after the four days of fighting in April 2001 the conflict has not resurfaced.
The non-state conflict between Kwala and Tiv is first included in UCDP data in 2001. In April of that year, violent clashes flared up in Kendi village, resulting in over 25 battle-related deaths.
