Gunmen kill 36 in attacks across three Nigerian states

A series of coordinated attacks by armed gunmen across three states in central Nigeria over the weekend has left at least 36 people dead, including multiple children, and triggered widespread protests demanding government action. The violence, which occurred in Plateau, Benue, and Niger states from Friday through Sunday, represents a significant escalation of long-running insecurity in the region.

In Plateau State, gunmen attacked Wereng Camp and Kum villages in Riyom Local Government Area late on Saturday night. The assault, which began around 11 p.m. and lasted over an hour, resulted in the deaths of nine members of a single family, ranging from a three-month-old infant to a 38-year-old woman. One resident, Pam Yohanna, sustained life-threatening injuries. The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack, stating that entire families have been wiped out and thousands displaced from their ancestral communities. He called on the federal government to intensify protection for vulnerable communities and ensure accountability. Some community members have alleged the attack may be linked to one family member's alleged...