Accra: Armed gangs in northeast Nigeria have killed dozens of people in two suspected attacks, a local governor and villagers said Saturday. A local state governor said “scores” of people had been killed in the attacks, which also saw homes and properties destroyed. Northeast Nigeria has been gripped by a deadly wave of violence in recent weeks.

According to Deutsche Welle, in a statement, the governor of Taraba state, Agbu Kefas, said “scores of people reportedly lost their lives and properties” in the attacks in the villages of Munga and Magani, in Karim Lamido district, early on Saturday. He added that he and his neighbors returned after the gunmen had left. “I saw 16 bodies scattered around the village,” he said. Andrew John, from Munga, said he had seen about 13 dead bodies in his village.

The governor condemned the violence “in the strongest terms,” calling it “horrendous and unacceptable.” “Our citizens safety is my top priority,” Kefas said, according to the Daily Post. “We have activated all necess
ary security measures to prevent further violence and bring those responsible to book.”

Northeastern Nigeria has been plagued by violence in recent weeks, as armed gangs and Islamist groups, including Boko Haram, have increased their attacks. The region has been ravaged by a 16-year insurgency. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and two million have been displaced, while the local economy has been badly damaged.