Christian villages in Nigeria attacked – more than 100 dead Suspected war crimes – Russian brigade drops gas shells

In Nigeria, gunmen killed more than a hundred people and injured hundreds more in attacks on Christian villages on Christmas Eve. A total of 15 villages in Plateau State were targeted in coordinated attacks late Sunday evening, police said.

The state police spokesman initially spoke of a total of at least 98 dead, while representatives of local authorities counted at least 163 dead. Most victims are said to be women and children. There were fears that rescuers would find more bodies in villages in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi districts. More than 300 people are said to have been injured.

The attackers, who have not yet been identified by police, also set fire to houses, cars and motorcycles. Residents of the predominantly Christian communities blamed Muslim Fulani herdsmen for carrying out the attacks.

A bloody land conflict has been raging in central Nigeria for years, which is continually exacerbated by climate change. Herders moving south from northern Nigeria are attacking local farming communities. West African Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country with more than 220 million people and more than 200 ethnic groups. The government is facing serious security problems in many places in the country, including uprisings by jihadist groups such as Boko Haram. (yam/sda/dpa)