7 killed in Nigeria gunmen attack

Nigerian soldiers

ABUJA, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and several others wounded following weekend attacks across six communities in Nigeria's north-central state of Plateau, local authorities said on Monday.

Up to 250 houses were also razed in the attack in the communities situated in the Miango chiefdom of Bassa local government area of Plateau on Saturday night, the police said.

"We are in search of the fleeing gunmen. I assure you that the police are on top of the situation," Ubah Ogaba, a police spokesman in Plateau, told Xinhua by telephone.

A local community development association in the area said in a statement that farmlands were destroyed and livestock taken away by the attackers, who arrived on motorbikes and were armed with guns and machetes.

Ogaba said the police are yet to know the motive of the attack, but an investigation has been launched to bring the attackers to book.

There have been a series of gunmen attacks in Nigeria in recent months, leading to deaths and kidnappings.