At Least 76 Killed In Armed Men Attack In Nigeria

Illustration of shooting. (Pixabay/Alexas_Photos)

JAKARTA - At least 76 people were killed in attacks by an unknown number of gunmen in several areas in central Nigeria, a local official said Monday (25/12).

The attack took place in local government areas of Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi in Plateau State.

The leader of the Bokkos administration, Monday Kasa, said the attack took place from Saturday to Sunday (12-24 December) in the morning, when residents were having fun at Christmas celebrations.

Kasa said the security team and hunters were still searching the bushes with community members to find people who had been missing after being ambushed during the attack.

He continued that the number of fatalities increased with the discovery of more bodies.

Police and Operation Safe Haven, a joint task force that maintains law and order at the Plateau, has not responded to the attack while rescue operations continue in the affected areas.

Several houses were also burned by the attackers, who also looted agricultural products and destroyed a number of properties during the attack.

Clashes often occur in Plateau State, Nigeria, between farmer communities and herders.

In a previous statement on Monday, Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang said at least 50 people were killed by a number of armed men.

"From intelligence reports to me, at least 50 people were killed in Mangu and Bokkos within 24 hours," he said as quoted by Antara from The Punch Newspaper.

Mutfwang condemned the attack and called for swift action and public vigilance in its territory.