Nigeria, June 26 -- Nigeria's north-central region has been engulfed in protracted conflict for decades. But the violence receives less humanitarian attention, government intervention and global publicity than Boko Haram terrorism in the North-east and banditry in the North-west.

In the North-central, rural communities often bear the brunt of attacks. On 13 June, armed groups attacked Yelwata in Benue State's Guma Local Government Area, reportedly killing over 200 people. In April, gunmen killed at least 52 people and displaced nearly 2,000 residents over several days of attacks in neighbouring Plateau State.

Perceptions vary about why attacks occur and who the perpetrators are. Security analyst Bulama Bukarti tags the violence as terro...