Gunmen Kill Over 46 Civilians in Nigeria Attack

More than 46 civilians were killed in an attack by armed bandits at a community in Nigeria's central state of Benue, an official announced on Friday.

Dozens of residents were wounded and others fled their houses in the attack.

Bako Eje, chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, revealed that the attack took place between Tuesday and Wednesday in the Umogidi community of the state.

Eje noted that the attackers invaded the community on Wednesday at about 4:15 p.m. local time shooting indiscriminately at everything in sight and leaving at least 46 people dead.

Paul Hemba, a special adviser on security to the state governor, confirmed the latest attack and described the incident as "very tragic and painful."

"The causality figure, from what I was told, was 46. But the figure may be higher because some people are still reported missing," Hemba told reporters on the phone.

During his talk with journalists in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, Hyacinth Alia, state governor-elect, sympathized with the families of the victims and condoled the entire community over the tragic accident.

"I am saddened over the killings, and I call on the government at all levels to be more proactive in addressing the security challenges in the state," Alia said.