Key points
- Attacks reported on Saturday night in four villages in Nigeria
- Clashes over land are common in central Nigeria
- Police say they are unaware of attacks
JOS, Nigeria: Gunmen killed 23 people in four separate attacks in central Nigeria’s Benue state, a Red Cross official said Sunday, the latest flare-up of unrest in the region.
The attacks happened Saturday night in four villages. Clashes between nomadic cattle herders and farmers over land use are common in central Nigeria.
“Reports from the field have confirmed the killings of at least 23 people from different attacks,” Red Cross secretary in Benue state Anthony Abah told AFP.
Eight people were killed in Ukum, nine in nearby Logo, three each in Guma and Kwande, he said, citing data from the organisation’s field disaster officers. Several others were wounded, he added.
Reports from the field have confirmed the killings of at least 23 people from different attacks.” – Red Cross secretary in Benue state Anthony Abah
A police spokeswoman said she was unaware of the attacks.
Affected areas
Cephas Kangeh, a retired general manager with a state electricity company who recently relocated to his home village near one of the affected areas told AFP he had heard of three killings, including a couple ambushed while riding a motorcycle which “was taken away by the herdsmen”.
Some of the latest attacks were reported in areas previously targeted by attacks slightly over a month ago, which left at least 56 dead.
Two attacks by unidentified gunmen earlier in April in neighbouring Plateau state left more than 100 people dead.
