Police confirm 5 dead in attack on Nigeria village

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - The Nigeria police have confirmed that five persons were killed in an overnight attack Tuesday in  the Christian village of Riyom in the country's central Plateau state.

State Police Commissioner Emmanuel Ayeni, told journalists on Wednesday that many other persons were injured in the midnight attack.

Eyewitnesses said the heavily-armed attackers, numbering 20 and suspected to be Muslim Fulani herdsmen, sneaked into the village during a downpour and unleashed gun and machete attacks on the villagers.

The attack fits into the pattern of the tit-for-tat clashes between Christians and Muslims in the state.

Apparently to stop any revenge by the Christians, the police boss said meetings have been scheduled among the stakeholders in the volatile state.

The attack occurred on the same day that a football viewing centre in Tundun Wada area of the state capital, Jos, was rocked by a bomb explosion that left one dead and many others injured.

Mr. Ayeni blamed the explosion on a time bomb placed at the centre, while football fans were watching the European Champions League match between English Club Chelsea and Barcelona of Spain on Tuesday night.
-0- PANA SEG 25April2012