Nigeria, June 22 -- At least 18 people have been killed by armed men in Kawel and Kopkon communities in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The killers struck late Sunday night, according to community leaders and security sources.

Christopher Luka, Bokkos youth leader, said he received reports of the attack shortly after midnight.

"A youth leader called around 12 a.m. that gunmen attacked the community and shot over 20 people, so 18 were confirmed dead," Mr Luka told journalists.

He said he immediately alerted security agencies in the area.

"I called the security and they confirmed to me that they had been alerted and were on their way to the attacked community," he added.

Mr Luka described the attack ...