Gunmen in central Nigeria’s Plateau state killed 37 people in a pre-dawn raid Tuesday, the military said, the latest unrest to hit the area.

Gunmen in central Nigeria's Plateau state killed 37 people in a pre-dawn raid Tuesday, the military said, the latest unrest to hit the area.

"At about 2:00 am (0100 GMT) unknown gunmen carried out an attack" in four villages, said area military spokesman Salisu Mustapha.

"The attackers killed... 13 persons in Katu Kapang, eight in Daron, nine in Tul and seven others in Rawuru."

It was not clear who carried out the latest attack which hit the Barkin Ladi area, a hotspot in the protracted conflict.