No fewer than 19 people were killed by gunmen who invaded Ariri Village in Bassa local government area of Plateau State.
Children, women and farmers were killed in the attack carried out on Wednesday.
The people were still sleeping when the gunmen unleashed terror.
A similar occurrence was recorded at Jol Village in Riyom local government areas of the state on Tuesday where 14 persons were killed.
The president of Irigwe Youth Movement, a group in the area, Chinge Justice, confirmed the killings.
Meanwhile, 72 suspects were arrested by men of the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in connection with the violence.
OPSH was set up to tackle the spate of violence in the area.
Represented by the Commander of the OPSH, Augustine Agundu, the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, blamed the violence on the elite in the society.
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Speaking during the burial of three soldiers killed in Barkin Ladi local government area recently, he said:
“The OPSH effectively came into force on January 21, 2010, but the crisis on the Plateau has lingered prior to the establishment of the operation with vulnerable persons bearing the brunt of the crises.
“In recent times, the bane of the crises has revolved around the total act of criminality by some unguided and irate youths, mostly under the influence of hard substances.
“It is evident that these youths are supported by a section of the elite/elders, while they have been unable to discourage them from violence, resulting in the absence of any tangible progress towards peace.”
