This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-31901268
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Deadly dawn raid on village in Nigeria's Benue state | Deadly dawn raid on village in Nigeria's Benue state |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Women and children are among dozens of people killed in a dawn raid on a village in central Nigeria. | Women and children are among dozens of people killed in a dawn raid on a village in central Nigeria. |
| Police say 45 people died in the attack by unidentified gunman on Egba village in in Benue state. | Police say 45 people died in the attack by unidentified gunman on Egba village in in Benue state. |
| But local politician Audu Sule told the BBC 81 villagers had been killed by the attackers, who were all armed with Kalashnikov rifles. | But local politician Audu Sule told the BBC 81 villagers had been killed by the attackers, who were all armed with Kalashnikov rifles. |
| Clashes between herdsmen from the Fulani ethnic group and farmers over grazing rights have plagued the region. | Clashes between herdsmen from the Fulani ethnic group and farmers over grazing rights have plagued the region. |
| "They opened fire on the sleepy village, killing residents including women and children," Mr Sule said. | "They opened fire on the sleepy village, killing residents including women and children," Mr Sule said. |
| Police are hunting the attackers but no arrests have been made yet, state police spokesman Austin Ezeani told AFP news agency. | Police are hunting the attackers but no arrests have been made yet, state police spokesman Austin Ezeani told AFP news agency. |
| "This area has been volatile for some time," he said. | "This area has been volatile for some time," he said. |
| Benue has a history of violent attacks and reprisals between semi-nomadic herdsmen and farmers, sometimes in revenge for cattle raiding. | Benue has a history of violent attacks and reprisals between semi-nomadic herdsmen and farmers, sometimes in revenge for cattle raiding. |
| Last year, at least 100 villagers were killed in central Kaduna state in an attack linked to a dispute between local farmers and herdsmen. | Last year, at least 100 villagers were killed in central Kaduna state in an attack linked to a dispute between local farmers and herdsmen. |
| Are you in Benue state? Have you been affected by the recent violence? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are available to talk to a BBC journalist please include a contact telephone number. | |
| Have your say |