Christian farmers massacred in Nigeria; President Buhari orders investigation into violence

The latest massacre of Christian farmers in Nigeria has prompted President Muhammadu Buhari to order an investigation into the state of violence in the affected area.

In the latest attack, Fulani herdsmen rode a helicopter and opened fire on the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, which lasted for several days. The armed attack left between 100 and 300 mostly Christian farmers dead and at least six villages completely destroyed, according to the Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

Thousands of people have also been displaced from their communities as a result of the chaos, the report adds.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has expressed his extreme shock over the recent massacre. In a statement, the Nigerian leader called for unity among the people.

"There should not be any reason why Nigerians of any group or tongue cannot now reside with one another," said Buhari.

The violence between the Fulani herdsmen, who are mostly Muslim, and the Christian farmers has been an ongoing issue. The latest massacre is part of their fight for grazing rights and comes on the heels of the electoral re-run, Christian Today reports.

While the central state of Benue has been torn by attacks stemming from cattle raiding for a long time, the assaults have become more frequent recently. The location of the state is the point where the Christians from the south meet with the mainly Muslim communities in the north, the report explains.

In 2014, Fulani militants killed more than 1,200 people. Because of this, the Global Terrorism Index has ranked the group fourth among the world's deadliest militant group, with Boko Haram taking the top spot, the report details.

In light of the massacre of Christian farmers, CSW chief executive Mervyn Thomas released a statement calling for the deployment of military troops to Agatu. He also encouraged the government to get to the root of the violence in Benue State because he said the attacks have now become a threat to the country's security.