At least 20 people were killed when armed gunmen attacked a village in central Nigeria’s Plateau State on Friday, according to a statement released Saturday by the Kanam Development Association (KADA). The group said the attackers ambushed soldiers on routine patrol before opening fire, resulting in the deaths of 12 security personnel and eight local residents who had joined efforts to defend their community.

KADA reported that after the assault on the soldiers, the gunmen raided a nearby village, looting livestock and other property. The organization said the incident has worsened the hardship faced by already vulnerable rural populations. The attackers, described locally as “bandits,” are part of armed groups known for kidnappings and village raids across Nigeria.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, continues to face multiple security crises. Despite ongoing military operations against Islamist insurgents, the presence of various armed groups has further complicated the country’s security situation.