Unidentified gunmen have attacked miners in north-central Nigeria, killing about 40 people.
Nigeria’s local government said on Tuesday (May 21) that gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on residents of a mining area and set fire to houses.
The attack was reported to have taken place on Monday (May 20) in Wase district of Plateau state. The area has long been the subject of resource disputes and inter-communal clashes.
“Armed men attacked the Zurak community,” Plateau state information commissioner Musa Ibrahim Ashoms told AFP by telephone. Gunmen fired indiscriminately and set fire to houses.

He also said, “About 40 people have been confirmed dead.” However, local youth leader Shafi Sambo also said, “At least 42 people have been killed in the attack.”

Oise has zinc and lead mines and this plateau state is well known for its tin mining industry.

Incidentally, parts of north-west and north-central Nigeria are home to armed criminal gangs, who raid villages to carry out mass kidnappings and looting for ransom.

Inter-communal clashes broke out between Muslims and Christians in the town of Mangu in Plateau state last January. As a result, many churches and mosques were burnt down. More than 50 people were killed and thousands displaced in the conflict.