Nigeria, May 23 -- An estimated 7,000 Nigerians died between 2015 and 2019 in the persistent violence between farmers and pastoralists in the middle belt states of Benue and Nasarawa, a report funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has said.

Titled "Engaging Communities for Peace in Nigeria (ECPN)," the report also said the violence has cost the Nigerian economy $13 billion a year over the past five years.

An international non-governmental organisation, Mercy Corps, conducted the study across the states and wrote the report.

The group said the study was aimed at preventing violent conflict between farmer and herders in the middle belt states. The report was presented at Bon Elvis Hotels On Thursday in ...