Gunmen opened fire on attendees after a funeral in north-central Nigeria, killing eight and wounding five, according to authorities. The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue state.
State police spokesperson Udeme Edet confirmed the casualties and stated that thatched houses and a motorcycle were set ablaze during the incident. Additional officers have been deployed to the area. The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Benue state, a key agricultural region, has a history of clashes between herders and farmers over resources.
Amnesty International Nigeria reported that at least 10 people died, a higher figure than the police's initial count. The human rights organization noted that youth protests in the wake of the violence demonstrated widespread frustration with persistent raids and abductions that have significantly disrupted life in many parts of Benue state. The group urged the government to fulfill its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.