THE Nigerian army is investigating an attack by soldiers on an ex-army chief’s house and the massacre of some 200 civilians in central Nigeria. Government troops last week ran rampant in the towns of Zaki-Biam, Gbeji, Anyii, Iorja, Vaase, Tseadoor and Sankara in Benue State in apparent reprisal for the murder of 19 soldiers kidnapped two weeks earlier ago and murdered by a local milita group. The soldiers had been deployed earlier this month to end fighting between ethnic Tivs and Jukuns from neighbouring Taraba State. Ex-army chief Victor Malu lost three members of his family and saw his house destroyed in the attacks. – AFP