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Local authorities said Wednesday that at least 20 people were killed in a gun attack in a village in central Nigeria.
The attack took place early Tuesday in Tahos, in the Lyonum local government area of Plateau, state legislator Dewan Gabriel said in a statement.
Graphic videos and photos on social media platforms showed corpses and what appeared to be burned out in the aftermath of the attack.
Sati Schwa, a local official in charge of the area, said the assailants, armed with guns and machetes, were unshakable by the presence of security guards when they burned down the house during the attack.
Although no one immediately claimed responsibility for the killing, such attacks are common in the north of Nigeria, with local hermits and farmers often clashing with limited access to land and water.
In recent years, long-term conflicts have become fatal, with authorities and analysts warning that more herdsmen are occupying their arms.
Last month, gunmen killed at least 150 people in neighbouring Benue Province.
“The rise in attacks in the Lyonum Municipal Area has been astounding and has created a state of fear and anxiety that must be addressed urgently,” Gabriel said.
He acknowledged the efforts of the government and security agencies, but called for changes in tactics to tackle the situation more effectively.
Additional sources •AP