Forty persons have been killed in a fresh attack on Zike community, Kimakpa, Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The Guardian learnt that the incident happened in the early hours of Monday when the attackers invaded the community and shot indiscriminately at residents who were running to safety.

The attack was, however, repelled by security operatives who were earlier at a nearby community. Unfortunately, much damage had already been done by the attackers.

Thirty-six people were confirmed dead at the scene of the incident, while four others died later from wounds sustained.

Others who sustained injuries from the attack were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

Meanwhile, no security agency has commented on the attack, which occurred days after scores were killed in the Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.

In a recent interview, the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Muftwang, revealed that no less than 64 communities have been taken over by bandits, just as he called on security agencies to come to the state's aid.

“I can tell you in all honesty that I cannot find any explanation other than genocide sponsored by terrorists,” Muftwang said.

"The question is, who are the persons behind the organisers of this terrorism? This is what the security agencies must help us to unravel.

“We must come to the point where we know the sponsors because it is not just the work of ordinary people. This is being sponsored from somewhere,” he added.