Unknown gunmen have killed 11 persons who were returning from a weekly market in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Tuesday.

Four others were reported to be injured in the attack which took place around 7.30 pm.

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying that security operatives are already on the trail of the attackers.

“Eleven people who were returning from a weekly village market of Makera were shot dead at about 7:30 p.m., four others are injured,” Terna Tyopev, the State Police Public Relations Officer told newsmen via the telephone on Wednesday.

“No arrest yet, but investigation are ongoing, and we shall definitely get to the roots of this.”

In October, more than 30 persons were killed in series of attacks by unknown gunmen in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In one of the attacks, 27 people who were said to be taking refuge in a classroom under the watch of some soldiers were killed, when the soldiers protecting them all of a sudden left the area.

Sunday Abdu, a community leader told newsmen that “twenty-seven out of the 29 people were buried in one grave”.

“We later found two other dead bodies. It is worrisome because the 27 people already buried were murdered in a classroom, given security cover by soldiers, where they supposedly sought refuge,” Abdu said.

The Army however explained that the soldiers guarding the classroom had gone to further pursue the attackers out of the community, but another group came from behind and massacred the people.

President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attacks, describing it as “madness taken too far”.

Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said Buhari had instructed security operatives “to not only bring the violence to an instant end, but to draw up a plan to ensure that there are no further attacks and reprisal attacks by one group against the other”.

“President Buhari is devoted to the sanctity of Nigeria’s unity, and he encourages Nigerians of all groups to learn to live together in peace and harmony,” Mr. Shehu said.