Nomadic Muslim herdsmen attacked a Christian village in central Nigeria
over long-running land disputes, killing at least 30 people in their
latest assault,
The attack in Benue state
comes as a bomb exploded Wednesday in northeast Nigeria, apparently
killing a police officer and sparking reprisal attacks by the military
in the region, residents said.
In Benue state, the attack Sunday
targeted a rural village of Christian Tiv people called Yogbo in the
state, police spokesman Daniel Ezeala said. After the attack, those
living there fled, community leader Daniel Tsenghul said.
The Tiv are one the largest of the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria, a
nation of more than 160 million people and more than 250 different
ethnicities.
The Tiv and the Hausa-Fulani herdsmen have previously fought over land
in Benue. In December, authorities said fighting between the two groups
displaced some 5,000 people.
Meanwhile, a bomb detonated
Wednesday morning in Potiskum, Yobe state, which targeted soldiers in
the city trying to fight the radical Islamist sect known as Boko Haram.
Security forces later cordoned off large portions of the city and began a
door-to-door search, state police commissioner Patrick Egbuniwe said.
Residents there said they heard gunshots throughout the day as soldiers
raided civilian homes. At least four homes were set ablaze by soldiers,
the residents said.
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