24 killed in Nigeria village attacks

At least 24 people were killed Monday night in separate attacks by gunmen in two communities of Plateau state in central Nigeria, a state lawmaker said Tuesday.

Daniel Dem, a member of the State House of Assembly representing Riyom constituency, told reporters in Jos, the state capital, that 24 lives were lost during the attacks on Atakar and Dajat communities of Ganawuri, Xinhua reported.

The lawmaker said 18 people were killed at Dajat, while six others were murdered at Atakar with several houses burnt.

Residents of the two community affected were displaced and are taking refuge in neighbouring communities, he said.

The state police spokesperson Felicia Anslem confirmed the incidents, but declined to give more details.

Northern and central parts of Nigeria have recorded a large number of deaths in recent years because of the attacks from the Boko Haram sect and the conflicts among communities with different religion beliefs.