12/25/2023 01:01 (current 12/25/2023 01:01)
16 people were killed in an attack on villagers in Nigeria. The village of Mushu in central Plateau state was attacked around midnight, a military official told AFP news agency on Sunday. It was initially unclear who was behind the attack. Clashes between farmers and ranchers in the region are frequent, as well as ethnic and religious tensions.
“We were sleeping when suddenly we heard noises,” resident Markus Amorudu told AFP. “We were scared because we didn't expect an attack. People hid, but the attackers captured many of us. Some were killed, others were injured.”
Authorities sent security forces to the region, also to prevent possible acts of revenge. Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned a “barbaric and brutal” attack and promised to hold the perpetrators accountable.
The region lies between the north of Nigeria, which is predominantly inhabited by Muslims, and the south, which is predominantly inhabited by Christians. There are repeated violent clashes between cattle herders, who are mostly Muslim, and farmers, who are mostly Christian. Jihadists and criminal gangs also operate in the region.