The number of people killed in the attack carried out in Kogi State by some unknown gunmen has increased to 16 from the initial 10.
The violence which was unleashed in Kpanche community in Bassa Local Government of Kogi State in the early hours of Sunday has spread to two other communities.
Disclosing the spread of the violence, the traditional ruler of Mozum community in the area, Alhaji Khalid Bukar, told journalists that the two other communities affected were Ozugbe and Biroko.
As it was the case in Kpanche, the bandits also set houses on fire while also killing.
Some of those identified as having been killed by the bandits were the Madaki of Biroko, Alhaji Mohammed Umar and four of his subjects.
Bukar said although he reported the case to security agencies, so much havoc had already been caused.
Earlier, Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Ali Janga, disclosed that ten people were killed in the encounter violence at Kpanche.
He disclosed that the gunmen invaded the community Sunday morning, but they were however quickly confronted by security agencies.
Janga said five residents of the community were killed.
He said five of the armed bandits were killed in the battle too.
The police boss said some houses, vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles and other properties were set ablaze by the bandits.
Said he: “Yes, five lives were lost in the village but operatives of the police mobile force and soldiers repelled them and succeeded in killing five bandits and recovered some weapons.
“So far, normalcy has been restored in the area.”
