No fewer than 25 people have been confirmed dead following a violent attack by suspected herdsmen on Edikwu Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to reports, the armed assailants stormed the community around 6 p.m., opening fire indiscriminately on unsuspecting villagers. Multiple sources confirmed that several residents were also abducted during the deadly assault.

A resident identified as Vincent told our correspondent that the community was completely overrun by the attackers, who left destruction in their wake.

This attack adds to the growing list of violent incidents in Benue State, where clashes between suspected herdsmen and local communities have resulted in numerous casualties and displacements over the years.

The Edikwu Ankpali attack comes amid ongoing security challenges in the region, with a recent report suggesting that over 20 local government areas in Benue State are currently under siege.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. Local authorities are expected to provide more details as investigations progress.

BenriNews will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.