8 killed in market attack in south Nigeria

Nigerian authorities on Wednesday confirmed that eight people have been killed by gunmen a new cattle market in Nigeria's southern state of Abia, reported Xinhua.

Eze Chikamnayo, the state commissioner for information, who confirmed the incident in a statement, condemned the attack.

He said some yet-to-be-identified gunmen attacked traders at the Omuma-Uzo cattle market on Tuesday at about 11.35 p.m. local time.

The commissioner said the government responded swiftly by mobilizing security agencies to the scene to secure the lives and property of the traders and fish out the assailants.

"We are shocked and saddened by this mindless and barbaric act of violence. We totally condemn this act, together with its wicked perpetrators," he said.

Chikamnayo added that the government was working assiduously to provide support for the families of the victims of the attack and people who were injured in the attack were being given medical attention.