According to authorities, more than 160 people have been killed in attacks on villagers in Nigeria since the weekend. Armed groups attacked 20 different towns between Saturday and this morning, killing 113 people, Kassah, president of the district administration of Bokkos in the central state of Plateau, told AFP on Monday. More than 300 people were injured. In neighboring Barkin Ladi, at least 50 more bodies were discovered in four villages, according to a member of the district assembly.
The army initially reported an attack on a town yesterday with 16 dead. Governor Caleb Mutfwang spoke of a “barbaric and brutal” attack.
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.