Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen went on a killing spree in three communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, leaving several people dead, as search for more bodies continues in the area.
Those killed in Egedegede, Obegu and Amuzu communities included a Priest of the of the Methodist church.
While some reports say the number of the dead was 18, others say at many as 27 dead bodies had already been found, as search for more missing persons continues.
The corpses of the victims are said to have bullets wounds, deep machete cuts on the forehead, hands and other parts of their bodies.
Many of them had their heads and hands chopped off, while their eyes were removed, witnesses have said.
While most of the victims were identified as farmers and commercial motorcyclists in the areas, others were reported to be travellers just passing through the place at the time of the attack, which took place at about 7 pm on Monday.
Reports said that a car belonging to the Methodist priest was also burnt by the herdsmen.
When he visited the affected communities, an angry Governor, David Umahi, who visited the affected communities, lamented that local herdsmen in the areas who the state government had an understanding with, committed the havoc.
Umahi declared that those who migrated to the area were convinced to leave, adding that the killings took place after they had left.
“We feel so sad that this kind of thing should happen in our state. I am going to escalate this to the highest authorities in the country to ensure these people don’t get away with this,” Umahi said.
