At least 10 persons were reportedly killed while three others got injured when gunmen attacked Ruwi community of Bokkos local government area of Plateau state.

A source from the community who did not want his name to be mentioned told Daily Trust that the gunmen stormed the community around 9:30pm on Thursday and opened fire on the victims who were observing a wake-keep service for their loved one who died recently.

“Ten persons were killed while three others got injured. It is an unfortunate attack. The attack took place yesterday in the night. We are calling on the security agencies to intervene, “ the source said.

But the spokesman of the state police command, DSP Alabo Alfred, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in a statement on Friday, did not give number of the casualty.

He said command expressed sympathy to the families of the victims, assuring that more officers had been deployed to restore law and order in the affected community and its environs.

• Okupe laid to rest amid eulogies in Ogun
• Tinubu orders manhunt for killers of hunters in Edo

DSP Alfred also said the commissioner of police had visited the scene of the incident to assess the situation.

Explaining further action on the attack, DSP Alfred said “The Commissioner of Police also deployed additional manpower and operational assets from the State Headquarters to Bokkos and its surrounding Local Government Areas. He also directed the Area Commander Pankshin to relocate his base to Bokkos for strict supervision of all operations and to avoid reoccurrence of such unfortunate incidents until normalcy is restored.

“The CP assures the good people of Plateau State that the Command under his leadership remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of the lives and properties of the good and peace loving citizens of Plateau State; as we are doing everything necessary within our Constitutional powers to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous and inhuman act are arrested and made to face the full weight of the law, “ the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the Plateau state government has condemned in strong terms what it described as “killing of innocent persons” in the area.

In a statement by Hon Joyce Ramnap, state the Commissioner for Information and Communication, sympathised with the deceased families, calling on people in the area to remain calm as government was doing everything possible to bring an end to the barbaric attacks in the state.

She said “The Barrister Caleb Mutfwang administration would not tolerate brutal killings of innocent citizens in any parts of the state. We direct security agencies to hunt and track down the perpetrators of the heinous crimes and ensure justice for the victims. We urge our citizens to remain calm as security operatives carry on their investigation.”