At least 23 people have been killed by gunmen in separate attacks in Jos, Plateau State, police said on Tuesday.
The attack is in the latest violence within an area struggling with clashes between herders and local farmers.
According to Police spokesman, Alfred Alabo, two cattle herders were killed on Sunday before 21 farmers were killed in attacks later in several villages.
“The two herders were killed first while the second attacks were launched later in the night,” he said.
“The commissioner of police has visited the scene of the incident. We are investigating the cause of the attack.”
In a statement, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang said he was saddened by the killings and said the security situation had become “alarming”.
“The security architecture has become like an old abandoned engine that needs to be reserviced and retooled,” he said.
The local leader of cattle breeders association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Bello Tafawa, told AFP two herders were shot dead on Sunday evening on their way home in an unprovoked attack.
“We have already reported the case to the security agencies in the area,” he said.
A local youth community leader Rwang Tengwong said 21 persons were killed by suspected “herders” in various villages later on Sunday.
“Twenty one persons were killed and several others injured on Sunday during coordinated attacks,” he said, blaming ethnic Fulani herdsmen.
