21 killed in armed attack on villages in central Nigeria

Lagos, Aug 10 (EFE).- At least 21 villagers were killed and seven were injured after unidentified armed men attacked two villages early Thursday in Plateau State in central Nigeria, according to a civil society organization.

“Several armed men attacked the Barkin Ladi local government area around 01:25 am today (00:25 GMT) and killed 21 people,” Rwang Tengwong, a spokesperson for the Berom Youth Movement, told EFE.

“They first attacked the Baton community, where they killed 17 people, and then they went to Rayogot township, where they killed 4 more people,” Tengwong said.

At least seven villagers were also injured in the midnight attack, who were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Tengwong said the identity of the gunmen and motives behind the attack were not yet known.

However, he denounced the escalating trend of armed attacks on communities in Plateau State, and called for the government to adopt stronger security measures to protect civilian lives.

Clashes between nomadic Muslim herders and sedentary Christian farmers over access to natural resources and land rights are frequent in Plateau state of Nigeria. EFE

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