Among the several ongoing conflicts in Nigeria, Western attention has turned especially to fatal clashes between Muslim-majority Fulani herdsmen and Christian-majority farmers. The issue has captivated the White House: President Donald Trump threatened in November that if “the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians,” the United States would “go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’” then followed through with airstrikes on Islamic State enclaves on Christmas Day.

Less than two months later, 162 people were massacred in Kwara state. Easter weekend brought more attacks, including a Palm Sunday killing of at least 20 in Jos.