Gunmen killed at least 140 villagers across 17 communities in north-central Nigeria Saturday and Sunday, according to several reports.

The nighttime raids swept through 17 communities located in the Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas (LGA) of Plateau State, local outlet TVC News reported. Survivors feared the death toll might be much higher than 140 as some remained unaccounted for, per the Associated Press (AP).

Governor Caleb Mutfwang in a Twitter statement lamented the “gory” and “very terrifying Christmas” the attacks have inflicted on the state. Describing the attacks as “well-coordinated with heavy weapons,” he said the communities were “completely torched and brought down by these bandits and criminals” and called on security agencies to identify the sponsors of the attacks.

“Until we cut off the supply in terms of sponsorship, we may never be able to see the end of this,” he added.