At least 10 killed during attacks in central Nigeria

At least 10 killed during attacks in central Nigeria

2011-08-16 07:16:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

JOS, NIGERIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least ten people were feared killed during attacks in two villages in central Nigeria early Monday morning, officials said.

The attacks occurred at around 12:30 a.m. in the villages of Heipang and Korut in the Barkin Ladi area of Jos, Plateau State, government officials told Thisday newspaper.

According to Barkin Ladi's local government council chairman Emmanuel Lomang, four military ID cards were found at the scene of the attack and are believed to have been behind the attack. The chairman said gunshots were fired to scare the people, but moments later, a house was attacked and seven people of the same family were chopped with machetes and killed.

Another man was killed after answering the door. According to the man's wife, Margaret Deme, the men who shot her husband were dressed in black and accompanied by military personnel.

The attack continued to another house where two brothers - Samuel and Adamu Gwom - were also shot and killed. The mother of the two brothers, Ngo Chang Gwom, also confirmed that the perpetrators were dressed in black and escorted by the military.

Despite military Special Task Force's Captain Charles Ekeocha confirming the attack, he argued that military personnel had arrived at the area to repel the attack. During the operation, Ekeocha explained, gun shots were fired against the troops, who retaliated and killed one of the attackers. He was later transferred to mortuary at Jos University Teaching Hospital, he added.

Following the attacks, local youths protested. Ekeocha said the demonstrations turned violent, as vehicles were stoned and military barracks were ransacked. To avoid further problems, troops were withdrawn to the Mararaban-Jama'a area of Jos.

Ethnic clashes between Fulanis, who are majority Muslims, and Beroms, who are mostly Christians, are not uncommon in Jos and its surrounding areas.

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