Five persons have been killed this morning with several communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State currently in flames after suspected herders invaded the area.

Locals told Governor Gabriel Suswam, who is presently in one of the villages, Ukpam, to assess the situation, that the attackers came between 6am and 7am today.

More than 20 villages within the area have been deserted over the heavy fighting with more displaced people flooding into Makurdi.

The five dead bodies are yet to be taken away as at the time of this report just as the governor is going round to see things for himself.

Most of the yam barns were set ablaze including the police station in the community. The causalities could be more as reports indicated that the attackers were progressing to other villages on the way to Gbajimgba, headquarters of the council.

•Text courtesy Daily Trust. Photo shows Benue Governor Suswam.