By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu
KANO, Nigeria (AA) – At least 76 people were killed by unknown gunmen in an attack on several communities in north-central Nigeria, a local official said on Monday.
The attacks occurred in the Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas of the Plateau state.
The chairman of Bokkos local government area, Monday Kasa, said the attacks occurred from Saturday into the early hours of Monday, when locals were already in a festive mood for Christmas celebration.
Kasa said local vigilantes and hunters are still going through the bushes with community members in search of missing people who were ambushed during the attacks.
He said the casualties are increasing as more bodies are recovered.
Police and Operation Safe Haven, a joint security task force maintaining law and order in Plateau, are yet to comment on the attacks as rescue operations are still ongoing in the affected communities.
Several houses were set ablaze by the attackers, who also looted farm products and destroyed properties in the process.
Clashes are common in Nigeria’s Plateau state between the farming communities and herders.
In an earlier statement on Monday, Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang said at least 50 people were killed by gunmen.
“From intelligence reports available to me, at least 50 people have been killed in Mangu and Bokkos in the last 48 hours,” he was quoted by The Punch newspaper.
He condemned the attack and called for a swift action and community vigilance in the communities.
*Additional reporting by Hassan Isilow in Johannesburg, South Africa