No fewer than 51 people have been killed after gunmen stormed Umogidi village in Benue State and opened fire on residents.

It was gathered that people there were searching for more bodies on Friday.

The motivation behind the attack, which occurred on Wednesday, has yet to be ascertained.

Clashes are common between nomadic herders and settled farmers in Benue State as farmers accuse herders of destroying their crops, while the herders accuse farmers of attacking their animals.

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A number of people are still reported to be missing following the attack.

Residents disclosed that many people ran into the bush to hide but were gunned down.

A local government official, Bako Eje, told AFP that the gunmen attacked while people were mourning three others who had been killed a day earlier, adding that his son was been killed in the attack.

The region has been one of the hardest hit by clashes between farmers and herders.

Although security forces have been deployed to the region, their presence has not stopped the deadly clashes.

The Star