Forty-eight people were killed Thursday in violence that erupted in Langtang South local government area of Plateau State, the Special Task Force, STF, in the state said.
The STF spokesman, Salisu Mustapha, a captain, told newsmen that invading gunmen killed 28 persons in Magama, Bongong and Karkashi communities, while the task force in turn killed 20 of them in a gun duel that lasted several hours.
He said that many of the assailants sustained gunshot wounds and were arrested by the STF, even as motorcycles, weapons and ammunition were recovered after the face-off.
Mustapha said that the attackers were suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and that they withdrew toward Yamini, Yelwa-Shendam and Agikamai villages in Shendam local government area after the attack.
The situation, according to him, has been brought under control and more troops deployed to secure the area are conducting a robust patrol to guard against further attacks on innocent persons.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Langtang South local government, Naanman Darko, said that more than 6,000 displaced persons were taking refuge at the councilheadquarters in Mabudi.
“In fact, more people are still trooping into the secretariat following rumours that more attacks are underway. The local government has been making arrangements to provide relief materials to the displaced persons,” he added.