Armed gangs kill 12 in northwest Nigeria

By Adam Abu-bashal

ABUJA, Nigeria (AA) - At least 12 people died Saturday in an armed attack in western Nigeria, according to local media.

The deaths occurred when armed gangs attacked the Unguwar Yabo village in Zamfara state.

The country’s northwest sees occasional clashes between the herder Fulani people, one of the largest ethnic groups widely dispersed across West Africa, and neighboring sedentary tribes.

The Fulani, who migrated to the south to graze animals, claim farmers have tried to steal their animals and attack their people.

Armed groups sometimes take advantage of the conflicts and organize attacks.

Nearly 2,000 people have lost their lives in the region while thousands have been displaced.

Following the signing of “cessation of hostilities” agreements by different groups in August 2019, more than 2,000 members laid down weapons.