LAGOS, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Unknown gunmen at the break of the New Year invaded Arak village in central north Nigeria's Kaduna, killing the paramount chief, Etum Numana ll, Gambo Makama and his pregnant wife.

Police spokesperson in the state Mukhtar Hussaini Aliyu, who confirmed this to reporters, said one of the Chief's sons was also injured and his residence burnt to ashes during the attack.

The fresh attack was third in the series of attacks in the Southern Kaduna within a week.

The first was in Nindem in Godogodo Chiefdom, in Jema'ah area of the state where a lone gunner attacked a group of Christians observing the Christmas carol on December 23, 2017, killing four persons and injuring eight others.

Also, in less than 24 hours, gunmen again attacked nearby village on Christmas Even, killing six persons and injuring several others.

In the latest attack, the monarch, who was a second class traditional ruler, had traveled from his place in Gwantu to celebrate the New Year with his subjects in his village, Arak, when he was murdered in cold blood.

The police spokesperson appealed for calm as the command was doing everything possible to get to the root of the matter.?