Governor Simon Lalong has condemned the gruesome killings in the Rafin Bauna community of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau on Sunday.
This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Jos by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham.
Lalong said the attack was another callous attempt by the enemies of peace to begin the new year with violence.
However, he warned that the state government would resist such attempts with all resources available to it.
The governor noted that the victims were on their way from Dutsen Kura to Rafin Bauna when they were ambushed and killed by assailants now at large.
He directed security agencies to arrest the perpetrators and conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure that the assailants were arrested and brought to justice.
Lalong said the government was committed to dealing with criminals and their activities, and warned criminals including kidnappers, to leave Plateau as anyone caught and convicted for kidnapping would face the death penalty.
He sympathised with the families of the victims and assured them of justice as the government would increase its fight against crimes, especially kidnapping.
