LAGOS, April 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 16 people have been confirmed dead following an attack on a farming community in the central Nigerian state of Kogi early Sunday by unknown gunmen.

Khalid Bukar, head of Mozum community, who briefed reporters about the incident late on Sunday, said the violence unleashed in his domain has spread to two other communities with death toll jumping from 10 to 16.

State police chief Ali Janga earlier said 10 people were killed when gunmen invaded Kpanche town in Kogi.

The police said the dead included five residents of the community while five of the armed bandits were killed during a cross fire with security agents.