At least six people were killed in a Wednesday morning attack by unidentified gunmen in Nigeria's central Plateau State, while two churches and a number of homes were torched.
"Gunmen invaded Gako and Tanjol villages, shooting sporadically," Plateau State police spokesman Dominic Esin told newsmen in Jos, the provincial capital.
"Six people were killed and five others seriously injured as villagers scampered for safety in the ensuing confusion," he said.
The spokesman added that the attack had begun at about 1am.
"Many homes and two churches were torched in the attack," he said.
Esin added that security men had since been deployed to preempt "any reprisals that could further heighten tension in the communities."
He said efforts were currently underway to track down the "felons responsible for the dastardly attacks."
Plateau State is often the scene of ethno-religious violence – especially between local tribes and the Hausa-Fulani community – over land ownership and political representation.
Last week, the Fulani community complained of increasingly frequent livestock theft, which they blame on unidentified persons.
Three recent bombings in Jos have worsened the local security situation.
By Rafiu Ajakaye
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
