Armed attackers on Friday reportedly killed at least 15 villagers during an assault on Ojantele community in Apa Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

Witnesses said the victims were among residents who had gone into nearby bushes to harvest fallen cashew nuts following overnight rainfall.

According to residents, the victims, mostly women and youths from neighbouring communities including Asaba and Akpete, were gathering cashew nuts around Ogbaulu when the attackers suddenly opened fire on them.

The assailants reportedly killed at least 15 people and injured several others during the attack.

Residents also alleged that the attackers arrived in the area with a large herd of cattle and began shooting sporadically as villagers returning from their farms fled for safety.

A witness who spoke on condition of anonymity told journalists in Makurdi by telephone that at least 15 bodies had been recovered as of the time of the report.

The source added that 11 other victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to a hospital in Ugbokpo, the headquarters of Apa Local Government Area, for treatment.

Some villagers also claimed that several residents remain missing, including a woman who was reportedly abducted during the attack.

The chairman of Apa Local Government Area, Adams Ochega, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent but said he was yet to receive comprehensive details of the attack as he was away on official duty.

He appealed for time to obtain accurate information on the incident.

As of the time of filing this report, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, had not responded to calls and text messages seeking comment. (Daily Trust)a