At least 45 villagers have been killed during an early morning raid by suspected herdsmen in Nigeria’s eastern-central Benue state, an official says.

“I confirm that 45 people, including women and children, were killed this morning in an attack on Egba village... of Benue state by suspected herdsmen,” state police spokesman, Austin Ezeani, said of the Sunday attack.

“Several others were injured in the gun and machete attack,” he added.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the assault but experts oftentimes say the prime suspects of such attacks in the region are gangs from the Fulani herdsman (pictured below).

“These insurgents, who disguise as herders, confiscate everything belonging to our people; and if nothing urgently is done, it therefore means that Benue State, and by implication, Nigeria, is sitting on a keg of gunpowder due to our strategic location,” said Paramount Ruler of Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State Chief Daniel Abomtse.

The Fulani’s semi-nomadic, cattle-herding way of life has led to decades of conflict with farming communities across central and northern Nigeria.

The Fulani herdsmen usually encroach on and destroy the farmers' lands, especially during the dry season, resulting in clashes with the farmers trying to stop Fulani people from using their farmlands as feeding ground for their cattle.