Does Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria, have a pact with death? That is the question following the death of at least 40 persons in a communal clash in the state barely a month after Ombatse traditional religion militants on May 7 massacred over 100 policemen and State Security Service SSS) operatives on a rescue mission in Alakyo Village, near Lafia, the state capital.

Tears arising from that great tragedy were yet to dry when gunmen on Tuesday morning invaded Rukubi community of Doma Local Government Area, killing at will. Community leaders who conducted Deputy Governor Dameshi Barau Luka round the troubled area on Wednesday evening said the death toll had reached 40.

They said no fewer than 20 houses and six vehicles, all belonging to Agatu people of the area, were burnt in the invasion which lasted over two hours.

The information officer of the development area, Mustapha Danladi Ayaga, who was part of the team that conducted the delegation round the community, told them that the gunmen invaded the community and went after selected houses belonging to Agatu people.

He said the number of corpses gathered from the bushes piled up to about 40 and that more corpses were likely to be recovered since other parts of the community were yet to be searched as at the time of the visit.

Danladi said the invaders came dressed in anti-riot police uniforms, and bore sophisticated weapons including AK47 and explosives, and opened fire as they took the community by storm.

Deputy Governor Luka assured the people that more security operatives would be stationed in the area and that the culprits would be tracked down and punished for punishment

Luka was accompanied by traditional rulers and members of the state security council including soldiers, the police and SSS operatives.

•Photo shows Deputy Governor Dameshi Barau Luka, who has vowed that the perpetrators would be fished out and punished.