Gunmen killed at least 18 people in Nigeria’s northern Benue state in a weekend attack, residents and local officials said.
Benue police spokesperson Udeme Edet gave a lower death toll for the attack, which took place early on Sunday, saying eight people had died and five were wounded.
The incident occurred in the Otukpo-Nobi community of the Otukpo Local Government Area, where residents said armed men opened fire between about 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.
Local government chairperson Maxwell Ogiri linked the violence to the killing of the chairperson of the Fulani herders’ association two weeks ago.
No group has claimed responsibility
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Women and youths from the affected community later marched through the town of Otukpo to protest.
