A mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of villagers triggered protests across Nigeria.

Authorities reported that the death toll from the weekend attack by armed assailants had reached 150.

The incident unfolded between late Friday, June 13, and the early hours of Saturday in Yelewata, Benue State, in the country's north-central region.

Local reports said the attackers struck the village during the night, opening fire on sleeping residents and setting numerous homes ablaze.

Dozens remain unaccounted for, and hundreds have sustained injuries.

Footage shows the chaotic scenes as residents expressed outrage over the killings, with officers present at the location. Police reportedly used tear gas to disperse the gathered crowd.

Benue State police spokesman Udeme Edet confirmed the attack but did not disclose the number of casualties.

While the perpetrators have not been identified, such violence is frequent in Nigeria's northern areas, where conflicts between local herders and farmers over scarce land and water resources often escalate.

Governor Hyacinth Alia has dispatched a team to Yelewata to provide assistance to the victims' families.