58 deaths have so far been officially confirmed, a much higher number is feared. The background to the attacks is so far unclear, as is who is behind them – whether members of the Islamic terrorist militia Boko Haram or criminal gangs.
(dpa)
According to the authorities, gunmen killed at least 58 people in a series of raids in Nigeria. The attacks took place in the north of the West African country, as the regional government announced late Saturday evening. They were directed against a total of eight villages in the state of Zamfara and had already occurred between Tuesday and Thursday.
According to eyewitnesses, the number of deaths was significantly higher – the representative of a local interest group even spoke of 200 deaths. The attackers fired at residents at random. Several of the gunmen were also killed, according to police.
So far it is unclear whether the attackers are members of the Islamic terrorist militia Boko Haram or criminal gangs. Former cattle herders, who have formed gangs and terrorize the population despite the strong presence of the security authorities, also operate in the area. The most recent attack, which also burned houses, came despite a military operation targeting these gangs. Schoolchildren are often abducted in the region to extort ransom money.