Nigeria: What's behind Benue state attacks?

More than 200 people have been killed in a series of attacks across Benue state

An episode of the Focus on Africa podcast, hosted by BBC World Service, titled "Nigeria: What's behind Benue state attacks?" was published on June 19, 2025 and runs 38 minutes.

June 19, 2025 ·38m · Focus on Africa

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Summary

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to bring an end to the wave of killings in Benue state. It's believed that more than 200 people were killed in attacks across various communities. What's behind the increase in violence?Also, a young man from the DRC is on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church. Who was he and what did he do to achieve this?And we discuss the state of the book industry on the continent, following the first ever UNESCO report on the issue, with one of the authors of the report, Elitha van der Sandt and the internationally acclaimed Nigerian author, Lola Shoneyin.Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Wedaeli Chibelushi Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Episode Description

Also, a young man from the DRC is on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church. Who was he and what did he do to achieve this?

And we discuss the state of the book industry on the continent, following the first ever UNESCO report on the issue, with one of the authors of the report, Elitha van der Sandt and the internationally acclaimed Nigerian author, Lola Shoneyin.

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Wedaeli Chibelushi Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi