About 26 people were reportedly killed in Christmas Eve attacks by bandits on some communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas of Plateau State.

It was gathered that 11 persons were killed in Bokkos LGA, while 15 others persons lost their lives in another attack on villages in Barkin Ladi LGA.

Several houses were also reportedly razed during the attack in Barkin Ladi.

It was gathered that both incidents started at about 11:00 pm Sunday night.

It was learnt that yet to be identified gunmen came into the communities and started shooting sporadically.

A clergyman and five members of the same family were among the 11 people killed in Bokkos LGA.

Spokesman of the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, when contacted, said, “We are aware of incidents last night in some communities of Barkin Ladi and Bokkos LGAs.

“At the moment I cannot give you the casualty figure, because the DPOs in charge of those areas are working on it and will feed me with the necessary details when they are done, and I will get it across to journalists as soon as it is made available to me.

“At the moment the situation is calm. The Commander in charge of Pankshin and Bokkos is already there and the Commissioner of Police, Julius Alawari, has sent the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations there.

“I’m also told that the injured have been taken to the hospital and are receiving treatment.”