The unknown gunmen were said to have opened fire while people were praying in the early hours of Sunday.
A source confirmed to Vanguard that the attack was a reprisal one after a herdsman was recently killed during a land dispute between Fulani youths and members of the community.
According to the source, the herdsman was killed during an argument over payment for a piece of land.
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He said “It is confirmed that the attack was a reprisal to an earlier killing of a herder by the villagers. The killing of a herder was managed, but it appears they were not satisfied and decided to retaliate.
“Twenty one people were killed, while eight people sustained various degrees of injuries during the attack.”
The state police spokesman also revealed that security operatives have been dispatched to the troubled area to maintain peace.