No fewer than 20 persons are reported to have lost their lives weekend and several properties destroyed when unknown gunmen numbering about 19 invaded Okpancheni and Ekwo area of Agatu local government in Benue State.

An eye witness said the incident occurred around 6:00 am on Sunday when the gunmen said to be wearing masks stormed the villages, killing and burning houses until they were halted by a group of indigenes from another village who confronted them.

In the ensuing fracas, 17 of the men of the underworld were said to have been killed before the police arrived.

Meanwhile, effort to get the reaction of the State Police Command on the  issue was unsuccessful as the authorities were said to be busy trying to restore law and order in the affected communities.