ABUJA: At least 17 people, mostly women and children were killed and 11 others were received bullet injuries in central Nigeria, police said on Tuesday.
According to the details, unidentified gunmen invaded a farming community in Benue State on Monday and opened fire on a market and set buildings ablaze.
Police spokesperson Moses Yamu said that the attackers were on motorcycles and in a car. He said, “There was indeed an attack yesterday afternoon on a market in Zaki Biyam by unknown persons. Seventeen people were killed and 11 injured by the gunmen.”
He continued, “We have not made any arrests and we are yet to find out the motive for the attack. We have been given some names of people suspected of involvement in the attack and we are on their trail.”
Local media reported that it was a result of long-running conflict between nomadic Fulani herders and local farmers over grazing rights.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the “loss of lives” in a statement issued Tuesday. “The President condemns the wicked attack and directs security agencies to begin immediate investigation with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book,” his office said.
