Herder-farmer clashes in Nigeria kill at least 56

The governor’s office sharply revised a previous toll of 17 Saturday. The number of dead could rise even further as search-and-rescue operations continue, a government spokesman said. Aljazeera reported.

Police spokesperson Anene Sewuese Catherine said in a statement on Friday that “a large number of suspected militia had invaded” a region of Benue State overnight. The attack came amid a resurgence of deadly clashes between herders and farmers, a conflict that has killed hundreds over recent years.

cally at unsuspecting farmers” killing five farmers in Benue’s Ukum area.

Police said a second attack took place in Logo, about 70km from the area of the first incident.

“Unfortunately an unsuspected simultaneous attack was carried out” in a neighbouring locality, where 12 people were killed before police arrived, the police spokesperson said.