Dozens of villagers gunned down in central Nigeria

Reports by eyewitnesses and local media say at least 51 corpses of l villagers have been recovered from a rural community in Benue state in central Nigeria.

The deaths were a result of an armed gang attacking the village of Umogidi.

A number of villagers are still reported to be missing.

Community youth leader Adakole Inalegu Daniel told the BBC that residents, including youth groups, were still combing the surrounding bushes for more bodies.

Reports say armed men invaded the community in large numbers on Wednesday.

They started from the village market, shooting at anyone on sight.

Residents say many of those who ran into the bush were cut down by bullets and their bodies decapitated.

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

Residents of several agrarian communities in Benue state have had violent clashes with herders.

Farmers accuse herders of using their animals to destroy their crops while the herders accuse farmers of attacking their animals.

By BBC