86 killed in central Nigeria as farmers, herders clash

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Scores are dead after vicious weekend clashes in central Nigeria between mostly Muslim herders and Christian farmers.

Nigeria’s government said “scores” were killed but did not announce a death toll.

But the independent Channels Television cited a Plateau State police spokesman, Mathias Tyopev, as saying 86 people had been killed, with at least 50 houses destroyed.

Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari warned against reprisal attacks after the “deeply unfortunate killings across a number of communities” in central Plateau State as the military, police and counter-terror units were sent to end the bloodshed.

“No efforts will be spared to find the attackers”, Buhari said.

The latest clashes began when about 100 cattle were rustled and some herders were killed, the statement from Buhari’s office said.

“Less than 24 hours later, violence broke out. Some thugs then took advantage of the situation, turning it into an opportunity to extort the public, and to attack people from rival political parties”.

Footage showed angry people waving machetes and sticks and shouting at passing security forces as they weaved around overturned and burning vehicles.

Smoke rose in the distance. Women and children clutching overstuffed bags piled into the back of trucks, seeking a way out.

The deadly clashes between herders and farmers in central Nigeria are a growing security concern in Africa’s most populous country, which is roughly split between Muslims in the north and Christians in the south.

Mass burials began Monday amid fears that the death toll was even higher.

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