by Adeola Balogun

According to emerging reports, fresh violence in Plateau has left about 40 people dead in the already crisis-ridden state.

The attack is said to have occurred late on Monday in various sections of the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

Armed men were said to have invaded the area and wreaked havoc killing the oblivious residents.

Premium Times reports:

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Plateau, Sonja Bewarang, on Tuesday officiated a mass burial of 15 of the corpses at Tatu area of the council on Tuesday.

Mr. Bewarang blamed security operatives for allowing the attack to occur.

Among the victims were pregnant women and children.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported the tension in Barkinladi last week after some Fulani youth were allegedly killed by members of another ethnic group. The police had said they had stationed officers to prevent the breakdown of law and order in the area.

Hundreds of people have been killed in ethno-religious crisis in Plateau this year with the Special Task Force, a joint operation of all security agencies, unable to prevent the attacks from occurring.

Efforts are ongoing by PREMIUM TIMES reporter in the area to speak to security officials and the state government.