SUMMARY
The non-state conflict between Birom (or Berom) and the Fulani is part of a larger pattern of tensions between ethnic and religious communities in Plateau State. The state is 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 Plateau State and groups that have migrated to the area 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, Kwala – Tiv and Gamai – Pan.
The Birom are indigenous to the Jos Plateau, have traditionally relied on subsistence farming, and are mainly Christians. The Fulani](/#actor/607), meanwhile, together with the Hausa, came to the area to work in tin mines during the colonial period, are traditionally cattle herders, and are mainly Muslims. Small-scale conflicts between the communities over grazing rights and cattle raids have existed for a long time. More recently, tensions have increased as Birom and other indigenous groups have felt threatened by the increasing numbers of the Muslim population, while Fulani](/#actor/607) and other more recent settlers have felt excluded from political power. The introduction of Sharia law in most northern states triggered conflicts with religious undertones in many areas, causing an influx of migrants to Jos Plateau and increasing tensions along religious lines.
Non-state conflicts in Plateau State have tended to be informally organized. In the conflict between Birom and Fulani, none of the groups have reportedly deployed formally organized militia, but instead relied on more loosely structured groups to carry out violence against each other.
The Birom - Fulani 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 non-state conflict between the Birom and the Fulani is first included in UCDP data in 2002. By mid-October that year, clashes between the two groups had resulted in over 25 battle-related deaths.
