Gunmen killed at least 100 individuals in the Yelewata village of Nigeria’s Benue state late on Friday, according to Amnesty International Nigeria. The organization states that many people are still missing, and dozens have been injured but lack access to proper medical care. Some families were trapped and burned inside their bedrooms, as reported by the human rights group.
Police spokesperson Udeme Edet confirmed the attack but did not disclose the specific number of fatalities. The responsible party for the incident was unclear.
Governor of Benue state Hyacinth Alia dispatched a team to Yelewata to provide support to the victims’ families.
Images shared on social media depicted burned houses and corpses.
Benue state, situated in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, is an area between the Muslim-majority north and Christian-majority south. Violence is common in the region due to conflicts over land and water resources between farmers and herders, exacerbated by ethnic and religious tensions.
According to Nigerian geopolitical research consultancy SBM Intelligence, violence in the region has resulted in 500 deaths and the displacement of thousands since 20
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/nigeria-gunmen-kill-at-least-100-in-benue-state/a-72913909?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
