No fewer than 18 persons, including a Methodist Church priest, were fatally shot by rampaging gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in four villages in Ebonyi State.

The incident which occurred late Monday only came to public knowledge on Tuesday.

Peoples Gazette learnt that the gunmen stormed the communities and started shooting sporadically in different directions. The communities attacked were Egedegede, Obegu, and Amuzu communities in Ishielu Council Area of the state, leading to a high number of casualties.

Goods and properties were also set ablaze, The Gazette learnt.

A survivor told the Guardian that the incident occurred late Monday and has caused serious panic in the communities.

Some passers-by from Anambra State, en route Nkalagu-Obeagu, Eha-Amufu-Ikem, and Ubolafor road were also killed, the news outlet reported. 

Some gory images shared on social media showed some victims gruesomely murdered on the roads and in vehicles.

Residents told Channels TV that the attacks came as a surprise to them as they have always lived in peace with the local herdsmen.

The state police spokesperson, Loveth Odah told Vanguard that only six persons were murdered.

State Governor David Umahi had on Tuesday visited the affected communities to sympathize with the deceased families.

The Gazette reported that Mr Umahi, seemingly hapless, expressed sadness over the attack, urging security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.