At least 40 killed in gunmen's attack in Nigeria

International Desk: About 40 people were killed in the attack of gunmen in the north-central part of Nigeria. Almost all of the victims worked in the mines. The gunmen came on a motorbike and launched a surprise attack.

Villagers were fired upon and houses were set on fire, the local administration said. The attack took place on Monday night in Wase district of Plateau state. The region has long been plagued by resource disputes and inter-communal clashes. 

Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, the state's information commissioner, told AFP by telephone that armed men attacked the Zurak community. They fired indiscriminately on the villagers and set houses on fire. He confirmed the death of 40 people. Jurak is a popular mining community. Local youth leader Shafi Sambo also confirmed that at least 42 people were killed in the attack there. 

Ouse district rich in zinc and lead. Besides, Plateau state is well known for its tin mining industry. Conflicts between nomadic herdsmen and herdsmen often lead to violence in various parts of Nigeria. Tensions are rising as the two sides dispute over access to water to grazing lands and other resources such as the state's metal reserves due to climate change. 

Heavily armed criminal gangs are also active in various parts of northwest and north-central Nigeria. They often raid villages to kidnap and loot for ransom.  Inter-communal clashes broke out in the country's Mangu town last January. At that time, more than half a hundred people lost their lives in attacks on churches and mosques. Besides, several thousand people were displaced.