NIGERIAN troops have killed dozens of civilians and razed scores of homes to avenge the deaths of six soldiers, ­community leaders in central Plateau state charged on ­Sunday.

But a spokesman for the Special Task Force claimed that its troops were only involved in a battle with a tribal militia that killed six soldiers and mutilated their bodies last week.

However, traditional ruler Chief Jessie Miri said that as many as 80 people had died in retaliatory attacks by soldiers in Wase district.

Residents said the soldiers arrived in a dozen armoured personnel carriers.

Community leader Jangle Lohbut said he had documented at least 38 deaths, including those of two police officers, members of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps and a member of a vigilante group.

“Soldiers stormed some villages in Wase … villages belonging to Tarok and other tribes were razed and many lives were lost,” he said.