Scores of civilians murdered in Nigeria

Soldiers raided six villages in eastern Nigeria and gunned down more than 100 civilians, state officials said.

Soldiers raided six villages in eastern Nigeria and gunned down more than 100 civilians, state officials said.

The attackers were apparently searching for gunmen who had kidnapped and killed 19 soldiers earlier this month.

The killings took place in eastern Benue state, where villagers have been waging a decade-long ethnic feud.

Government defence officials denied any involvement in the raids.

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Uniformed soldiers traveling in armoured personnel carriers rounded up civilians in Gbejir village on Monday, Mr Tahav Agerzu, a spokesman for the Benue state government, said.

Women and children were separated from the group before the attackers opened fire on the men in a public square, he added.

The attacks, which continued into Tuesday, spread to Vaase, Anyiin, Iorja, Zaki-Biam and Tseadoor villages, close to where the mutilated bodies of 19 soldiers were found on October 12th.

Houses were burned to the ground, including the home of former army chief of staff Victor Malu, and more than 100 people were killed, Mr Agerzu said.

The death toll was not be independently verified.

AP