At least 25 people have been killed in an overnight attack on a village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, central Nigeria, according to local officials and residents.
Residents said the attackers moved from house to house, killing people with machetes. Women and children reportedly made up a large proportion of the victims. One resident said neighbours were attacked inside their homes while others escaped by fleeing the area.
Local reports initially put the death toll at 23, but additional victims later died, bringing the reported number of fatalities to at least 25. Police said officers were being deployed to the affected area and that further details would be provided after an assessment.
The attack has raised concerns about possible retaliatory violence in Plateau State, which has experienced recurring clashes involving farming and herding communities. Disputes over land, grazing rights and other resources have contributed to cycles of violence and displacement in the region.
The latest attack adds to continuing security challenges in Plateau, despite government efforts to strengthen security and prevent further violence.
