Gunmen kill 6, burn churches, homes in fresh Plateau violence

Gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday attacked Gako and Tanjol communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing at least six people.

Two churches were also burnt in the attack which took place at about 1:00 a.m.

Residents of the area say apart from the six civilians killed, five uniformed security officials, believed to be members of the Special Task Force, STF, were also killed.

The police in the state, however, confirmed the death of only the six civilians; while saying five others were injured.

Thousands of people have been killed in Plateau in recent years in ethno-religious violence.

The state also in the past month witnessed a series of bomb explosions that killed about 200 people.