Gunmen riding motorbikes killed around 40 people in a raid on a mining community in northcentral Nigeria, opening fire on residents and torching homes, the local government said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The attack late on Monday on Wase district in Plateau state was the latest violence in an area which has long been a flashpoint for disputes over resources and for outbreaks of intercommunal clashes.

Armed men invaded Zurak community, shooting sporadically and torching houses, Plateau state commissioner for information Musa Ibrahim Ashoms told AFP by telephone.&nbsp;

"As we speak, about 40 people have been confirmed dead. Zurak is a popular mining community," he said.

Local youth leader Shafi'i Sambo also said at least 42 people had been killed in the raid.

Also read:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuidIELYnoqUgBja" /><a href="http://wionews.com/world/kidnapping-epidemic-in-nigeria-gunmen-abduct-over-100-during-raids-on-three-villages-720497" target="_blank">Kidnapping endemic in Nigeria: Gunmen abduct over 100 during raids on three villages</a>

Wase has deposits of zinc and lead, while Plateau as a whole is known for its tin mining industry.

Sitting on the dividing line between Nigeria's mostly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south, Plateau often sees outbreaks of violence sparked by disputes between nomadic herders and pastoral farmers.

Climate change has also helped escalate tensions over grazing land, water access and other resources such as the state's metal reserves.

Parts of northwest and northcentral Nigeria have also been terrorised by heavily armed criminal gangs, who raid villages to loot and carry out mass kidnappings for ransom.

In January, intercommunal clashes erupted in Plateau's Mangu town that left churches and mosques burned, more than 50 people dead and thousands displaced. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Gunmen riding motorbikes killed around 40 people in a raid on a mining community in northcentral Nigeria, opening fire on residents and torching homes, the local government said on Tuesday.

Gunmen riding motorbikes killed around 40 people in a raid on a mining community in northcentral Nigeria, opening fire on residents and torching homes, the local government said on Tuesday. The attack late on Monday on Wase district in Plateau state was the latest violence in an area which has long been a flashpoint for disputes over resources and for outbreaks of intercommunal clashes. Armed men invaded Zurak community, shooting sporadically and torching houses, Plateau state commissioner for information Musa Ibrahim Ashoms told AFP by telephone. "As we speak, about 40 people have been confirmed dead. Zurak is a popular mining community," he said. Local youth leader Shafi'i Sambo also said at least 42 people had been killed in the raid. Also read: Kidnapping endemic in Nigeria: Gunmen abduct over 100 during raids on three villages Wase has deposits of zinc and lead, while Plateau as a whole is known for its tin mining industry. Sitting on the dividing line between Nigeria's mostly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south, Plateau often sees outbreaks of violence sparked by disputes between nomadic herders and pastoral farmers. Climate change has also helped escalate tensions over grazing land, water access and other resources such as the state's metal reserves. Parts of northwest and northcentral Nigeria have also been terrorised by heavily armed criminal gangs, who raid villages to loot and carry out mass kidnappings for ransom. In January, intercommunal clashes erupted in Plateau's Mangu town that left churches and mosques burned, more than 50 people dead and thousands displaced. (With inputs from agencies)

Gunmen kill around 40 people in attack on Zurak community in northcentral Nigeria: Official

Three of the students kidnapped by gunmen in northern Nigeria earlier this week have been shot dead, a local official said Friday.

Criminals known locally as bandits attacked the private Greenfield University in Kaduna state on Tuesday evening, in the fifth known kidnapping assault on a school or college in the country since December.

"The armed bandits who kidnapped students of Greenfield University, have shot dead three of the abducted students," Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna state's internal security and home affairs commissioner, said in a statement.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/university-staffer-killed-students-kidnapped-by-nigerian-gunmen-379171">Watch |</a>

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He said their remains had been found Friday close to the university.&nbsp;

Two university officials told AFP that 20 students along with three non-academic staff were kidnapped but officials could not confirm those numbers.&nbsp;

Bandits have ramped up kidnapping attacks in recent months, hoping to squeeze ransom payments out of the authorities.

Local authorities have said they would not pay any ransom.&nbsp;

Recent mass kidnappings have prompted six northern states to shut public schools to prevent further attacks.

Three of the students kidnapped by gunmen in northern Nigeria earlier this week have been shot dead, a local official said Friday. Criminals known locally as bandits attacked the private Greenfield University in Kaduna state on Tuesday evening, in the fifth known kidnapping assault on a school or college in the country since December.

Three of the students kidnapped by gunmen in northern Nigeria earlier this week have been shot dead, a local official said Friday. Criminals known locally as bandits attacked the private Greenfield University in Kaduna state on Tuesday evening, in the fifth known kidnapping assault on a school or college in the country since December. "The armed bandits who kidnapped students of Greenfield University, have shot dead three of the abducted students," Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna state's internal security and home affairs commissioner, said in a statement. Watch | He said their remains had been found Friday close to the university. Two university officials told AFP that 20 students along with three non-academic staff were kidnapped but officials could not confirm those numbers. Bandits have ramped up kidnapping attacks in recent months, hoping to squeeze ransom payments out of the authorities. Local authorities have said they would not pay any ransom. Recent mass kidnappings have prompted six northern states to shut public schools to prevent further attacks.

Three students kidnapped in Nigeria shot dead: Official

A group of gunmen attacked a mosque as the worshippers were observing their weekly Friday prayers in a&nbsp;remote Dutsen Gari village in Maru district.

Around 100 cattle thieves on motorcycles opened fire on the congregation, killing at least five worshippers and kidnapping nearly 18, the local police reported on Sunday.

"The bandits killed five worshippers and kidnapped 18 others, including the imam," state police spokesman Mohammed Shehu told AFP.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-admits-soldiers-had-live-bullets-at-lekki-toll-gate-protest-344654">Nigeria admits soldiers had live bullets at Lekki Toll Gate protest</a>

The incident happened&nbsp;in northwestern Nigeria's Zamfara state. While the local police is claiming abduction of 18 worshippers, local residents are disputing the claim and have said more than 30 people have been kidnapped.

"The gunmen attacked the mosque while the imam was delivering the sermon and took away more than 30 people, including the imam, after shooting dead five worshippers," one resident, Ibrahim Altine, told AFP.

This incident has not been a work of the&nbsp;Boko Haram jihadists. This group, reportedly, has no&nbsp;ideological leanings but the terror being spread by the group is increasing on an alarming rate. The government has been trying to bring peace in the region as the gang maintains its camps&nbsp;in the Rugu forest, raiding villages, stealing cattle and kidnapping local residents for ransom and looting food supplies. However, the local authorities have faced to reach a conclusion in the peace talks.

A group of gunmen attacked a mosque as the worshippers were observing their weekly Friday prayers in a remote Dutsen Gari village in Maru district. Around 100 cattle thieves on motorcycles opened fire on the congregation, killing at least five worshippers and kidnapping nearly 18, the local police reported on Sunday.

A group of gunmen attacked a mosque as the worshippers were observing their weekly Friday prayers in a remote Dutsen Gari village in Maru district. Around 100 cattle thieves on motorcycles opened fire on the congregation, killing at least five worshippers and kidnapping nearly 18, the local police reported on Sunday. "The bandits killed five worshippers and kidnapped 18 others, including the imam," state police spokesman Mohammed Shehu told AFP. Also read| Nigeria admits soldiers had live bullets at Lekki Toll Gate protest The incident happened in northwestern Nigeria's Zamfara state. While the local police is claiming abduction of 18 worshippers, local residents are disputing the claim and have said more than 30 people have been kidnapped. "The gunmen attacked the mosque while the imam was delivering the sermon and took away more than 30 people, including the imam, after shooting dead five worshippers," one resident, Ibrahim Altine, told AFP. This incident has not been a work of the Boko Haram jihadists. This group, reportedly, has no ideological leanings but the terror being spread by the group is increasing on an alarming rate. The government has been trying to bring peace in the region as the gang maintains its camps in the Rugu forest, raiding villages, stealing cattle and kidnapping local residents for ransom and looting food supplies. However, the local authorities have faced to reach a conclusion in the peace talks.

Five dead, 18 kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria: Police

Nigeria's police chief on Saturday ordered mobilisation of resources of the force as authorities searched for a way to control unrest. Africa's most populous country is currently witnessing worst street violence in two decades. Violence in Nigeria's capital Lagos escalated after demonstrators were shot on Tuesday in city's Lekki District. The widespread protests in Nigeria have stemmed from anger against police brutality.

Rights group Amnesty International said soldiers and police had killed at least 12 protesters in two districts, though the army and police denied any involvement.

States mostly in southern Nigeria have imposed curfew after two weeks of clashes between security forces and protesters.&nbsp;

As pockets of unrest flared again on Saturday in parts of the country, a spokesman for southern Cross River state said several buildings had been vandalised over the last two days including a shopping mall, a bank and electoral offices.

Round the clock curfew was imposed in the city of Jos just after it was relaxed on Friday, following the looting of emergency food supplies stored there by the disasters ministry, authorities said.

"This looting has spread to other facilities and is gradually degenerating thereby threatening the peace and security of the state," the governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong, said in a statement.

And a round-the-clock curfew was imposed in the northern state of Kaduna on Saturday. The move was to "protect lives and property and contain criminal elements", state security commissioner Samuel Aruwan said in a statement.

The Nigeria Police Force said its inspector general Mohammed Adamu had ordered the immediate deployment of all assets and resources to end violence, looting and destruction of property by criminals masquerading as protesters.

"The IGP enjoins law-abiding citizens not to panic but rather join forces with the police and other members of the law enforcement community to protect their communities from the criminal elements," the force said in a statement.

During a call on Friday between Buhari and former Nigerian presidents, the head of state said 51 civilian fatalities and 37 injuries had been recorded as a result of "hooliganism" in recent weeks, according to a statement released on Saturday outlining his opening remarks.

Unrest escalated in parts of Nigeria after the shooting of the protesters who gathered in Lagos on Tuesday night in defiance of a curfew to demonstrate against police brutality.

Olusegun Samuel, the guardian of one protester who was shot at that demonstration, said on Saturday that the 24-year-old may have his right leg amputated due to a severe wound.

"It is a very painful issue; very, very painful issue. A young boy of his age," said Samuel, speaking at a Lagos hospital.

David Ivwrogbo was working as a truck driver at a railway construction site when the curfew was announced on Tuesday. He said he was not part of the protest, and was trying to reach home when he was also shot in the leg. He said he was dragged to safety by demonstrators.

"The youths are awake and they don't want to go back to sleep," he said, referring to frustrated young people who have taken to Nigeria's streets in the wake of the campaign against police brutality.

Lagos state eased curfew restrictions on Saturday to 6 p.m.-8 a.m. Workers took to streets to sweep away broken glass while cars again filled the roads.

(With Reuters inputs)

Nigeria's police chief on Saturday ordered mobilisation of resources of the force as authorities searched for a way to control unrest. Africa's most populous country is currently witnessing worst street violence in two decades.

Nigeria's police chief on Saturday ordered mobilisation of resources of the force as authorities searched for a way to control unrest. Africa's most populous country is currently witnessing worst street violence in two decades. Violence in Nigeria's capital Lagos escalated after demonstrators were shot on Tuesday in city's Lekki District. The widespread protests in Nigeria have stemmed from anger against police brutality. Rights group Amnesty International said soldiers and police had killed at least 12 protesters in two districts, though the army and police denied any involvement. States mostly in southern Nigeria have imposed curfew after two weeks of clashes between security forces and protesters. As pockets of unrest flared again on Saturday in parts of the country, a spokesman for southern Cross River state said several buildings had been vandalised over the last two days including a shopping mall, a bank and electoral offices. Round the clock curfew was imposed in the city of Jos just after it was relaxed on Friday, following the looting of emergency food supplies stored there by the disasters ministry, authorities said. "This looting has spread to other facilities and is gradually degenerating thereby threatening the peace and security of the state," the governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong, said in a statement. And a round-the-clock curfew was imposed in the northern state of Kaduna on Saturday. The move was to "protect lives and property and contain criminal elements", state security commissioner Samuel Aruwan said in a statement. The Nigeria Police Force said its inspector general Mohammed Adamu had ordered the immediate deployment of all assets and resources to end violence, looting and destruction of property by criminals masquerading as protesters. "The IGP enjoins law-abiding citizens not to panic but rather join forces with the police and other members of the law enforcement community to protect their communities from the criminal elements," the force said in a statement. During a call on Friday between Buhari and former Nigerian presidents, the head of state said 51 civilian fatalities and 37 injuries had been recorded as a result of "hooliganism" in recent weeks, according to a statement released on Saturday outlining his opening remarks. Unrest escalated in parts of Nigeria after the shooting of the protesters who gathered in Lagos on Tuesday night in defiance of a curfew to demonstrate against police brutality. Olusegun Samuel, the guardian of one protester who was shot at that demonstration, said on Saturday that the 24-year-old may have his right leg amputated due to a severe wound. "It is a very painful issue; very, very painful issue. A young boy of his age," said Samuel, speaking at a Lagos hospital. David Ivwrogbo was working as a truck driver at a railway construction site when the curfew was announced on Tuesday. He said he was not part of the protest, and was trying to reach home when he was also shot in the leg. He said he was dragged to safety by demonstrators. "The youths are awake and they don't want to go back to sleep," he said, referring to frustrated young people who have taken to Nigeria's streets in the wake of the campaign against police brutality. Lagos state eased curfew restrictions on Saturday to 6 p.m.-8 a.m. Workers took to streets to sweep away broken glass while cars again filled the roads. (With Reuters inputs)

Nigeria: Mobilisation of all police resources ordered as authorities scramble to control street violence

Jihadists have killed 10 people in a raid on a village in northeast Nigeria's restive Borno State, burning homes and looting food supplies, civilian militia sources said Sunday.

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents in trucks fitted with machine guns stormed into Rumirgo village in the Askira Uba district at 1740 GMT on Saturday, shooting indiscriminately and sending residents fleeing into the surrounding countryside.

"They killed 10 people in the indiscriminate shooting which made residents run into the bush" civilian militia member Adamu Galadima said.

The militants burnt a dozen homes, carted away food supplies and two "trailers loaded with foodstuffs," another militiaman, Peter Malgwui said.

Askira Uba lies close to the Sambisa Forest where Boko Haram enclaves dwell and has suffered repeated attacks.

Yet in recent months an Islamic State group-aligned faction of Boko Haram has been waging attacks.

Last month three Nigerian soldiers were killed in clashes with fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction in Askira Uba town.

A decade of Boko Haram violence has killed 36,000 people in the northeast and displaced around two million from their homes, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.

The conflict has spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional military response to combat the jihadist groups.

Jihadists have killed 10 people in a raid on a village in northeast Nigeria's restive Borno State, burning homes and looting food supplies, civilian militia sources said Sunday.

Jihadists have killed 10 people in a raid on a village in northeast Nigeria's restive Borno State, burning homes and looting food supplies, civilian militia sources said Sunday. Suspected Boko Haram insurgents in trucks fitted with machine guns stormed into Rumirgo village in the Askira Uba district at 1740 GMT on Saturday, shooting indiscriminately and sending residents fleeing into the surrounding countryside. "They killed 10 people in the indiscriminate shooting which made residents run into the bush" civilian militia member Adamu Galadima said. The militants burnt a dozen homes, carted away food supplies and two "trailers loaded with foodstuffs," another militiaman, Peter Malgwui said. Askira Uba lies close to the Sambisa Forest where Boko Haram enclaves dwell and has suffered repeated attacks. Yet in recent months an Islamic State group-aligned faction of Boko Haram has been waging attacks. Last month three Nigerian soldiers were killed in clashes with fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction in Askira Uba town. A decade of Boko Haram violence has killed 36,000 people in the northeast and displaced around two million from their homes, creating a severe humanitarian crisis. The conflict has spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional military response to combat the jihadist groups.

Jihadists kill 10 in northeast Nigerian village