Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed four persons at a beer parlour in Quata village of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Heraldnigeria.com that some youths were relaxing at the beer parlour when the gunmen opened fire on them, killing four persons.
But a community leader said six persons died in the attack.
Quata village is less than five kilometres from Jos, the state capital. The attack took place around 9 p.m on Tuesday when the victims were celebrating their luck for making it to the New Year.
Several beer consumers exchanging pleasantries at the centre sustained gunshot injuries.
Eyewitness said the gunmen stormed the relaxation centre and fired several shots into the people.
The shooting took the community by surprise and sent panic among its residents.
A statement by the police command confirmed the attack, saying the attackers were cultists.
Police spokesman Terna Tyopev, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said: “The state police command received distress calls to the effect that unknown cult groups armed with guns and cutlasses attacked another rival cult group at a night club in Kwata Zawan of Jos South Local Government Area.
“As a result of the attack, four persons lost their lives. The bodies of the victims have been deposited at Plateau State Specialist Hospital’s mortuary for autopsy.
“Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Augustine Agbonlahor has directed the commencement of investigation into the crime.”
A community leader at Zawan, Dagwon Rhei of Zawan, told reporters in Jos that six persons died in the attack.
He said they had been given a mass burial in accordance with the tradition of the Berom indigenes.
The community leader urged the government and security agencies to bring the attackers to justice and end suck crime in the state.