Nigeria: Armed gangs kill dozens in northeast
Armed gangs in northeast Nigeria have killed dozens of people in two suspected attacks, a local governor and villagers said Saturday.
In a statement, the governor of Taraba state, Agbu Kefas, said "scores of people reportedly lost their lives and properties" in the attacks in the villages of Munga and Magani, in Karim Lamido district, early on Saturday.
Kefas did not provide an exact death toll, but Nigerian outlet the Daily Post said more than 30 people had been killed by armed gangs, known in the West African country as "bandits."
"It was midnight, I heard gunshots, I woke up my brother and other people in our area," Magani resident Moses Kefas told AFP news agency.
He added that he and his neighbors returned after the gunmen had left. "I saw 16 bodies scattered around the village," he said.
Andrew John, from Munga, said he had seen about 13 dead bodies in his village.
Dozens of people have reportedly been displaced by the wave of violence.
The governor condemned the violence "in the strongest terms," calling it "horrendous and unacceptable."
"Our citizens' safety is my top priority," Kefas said, according to the Daily Post. "We have activated all necessary security measures to prevent further violence and bring those responsible to book."
Northeastern Nigeria has been plagued by violence in recent weeks, as armed gangs and Islamist groups, including Boko Haram, have increased their attacks.
The region has been ravaged by a 16-year insurgency. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and two million have been displaced, while the local economy has been badly damaged.
Edited by: Alex Berry
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