North-central Nigeria has been hit by two separate attacks resulting in the deaths of 16 people, according to the army. The Plateau State has been grappling with clashes between nomadic herders and farming communities that often take on violent dimensions. The region is situated at the dividing line between the mostly Muslim north and Nigeria's predominantly Christian south. On Tuesday, rogue gunmen killed six members of a local farmer's self-defence group in Riyom district, while another 10 people were killed in Mangu area in a separate attack. The recent attacks have brought the death toll of the conflict since May up to almost 200. These clashes are mainly between the Berom Christian farming communities and the Fulani Muslim cattle breeders of Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu areas in Plateau state.
Army Major Ishaku Takwa told AFP in a statement on Wednesday that “six lives were lost in Riyom,” and “another attack took place in some communities in Mangu and 10 persons died.” Bala Fwangje, Plateau state assembly member representing Mangu South, said his area had lost 14 people. He explained that "we heard that about 14 people were killed, houses destroyed, property burnt. I am yet to get the full details." The root causes for these attacks remain unclear, but clashes between herders and farmers often lead to hostage taking, looting, and village raids by heavily armed gangs.
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