Authorities in Nigeria say gunmen opened fireplace on a distant village within the nation’s northcentral area, killing no less than 24 villagers
ByCHINEDU ASADU Related Press
ABUJA, Nigeria — Gunmen killed 24 villagers in a distant a part of north-central Nigeria, authorities stated on Sunday, elevating additional issues in regards to the West African nation’s ongoing safety challenges.
The gunmen arrived on the Akpuuna village in Benue state’s Ukum district on Saturday, capturing lifeless the villagers earlier than escaping the world, in line with Tersoo Kula, the spokesman for Benue state’s governor.
Police blamed the assault on a “militia gang,” a standard reference to armed teams in Nigeria’s hard-hit northwest and central areas the place armed violence has claimed the lives of 1000’s within the final 12 months.
Catherine Anene, police spokeswoman in Benue, stated eight our bodies have been retrieved from the scene. Native officers, together with legislator Ezra Nyiyongo, stated there have been no less than 24 killed and a number of other others injured.
“I lack phrases to precise my shock and sympathy to the households of the misplaced ones,” stated Nyiyongo as he printed the names of these killed.
Benue Gov. Hyacinth Iormem Alia stated the assault was unprovoked and directed safety brokers to hunt for the suspects, his spokesman Kula stated.
“Authorities will do all the pieces potential to place measures in place to checkmate these items and forestall a re-occurrence,” Kalu stated.
Such assaults are frequent in lots of elements of Nigeria’s northern area the place native herdsmen have clashed prior to now with farmers over restricted entry to land and water. Greater than 100 individuals have been killed this 12 months within the violence in Benue alone. Arrests are uncommon after the killings.
The gunmen within the newest incident operated for greater than two hours with out the intervention of safety forces, in line with Emmanuel Udende, who represents the village on the Nigerian Senate. His remark re-echoed issues in regards to the safety of villagers in lots of violent hotspots the place the Nigerian safety forces are far outnumbered and outgunned.