Residents of Angai and Ndole villages in Gashak Local Council area of Taraba State have reportedly fled to neighbouring communities in the Republic of Cameroon and nearby local council areas after Fulani herdsmen invaded the areas on Monday, killing scores of persons.

No fewer than 44 persons were allegedly killed with several numbers of houses and domestic animals set ablaze, the Guardian is reporting.

Although the exact cause of the mayhem is yet to be ascertained, reports allege that some residents who narrowly escaped the attack said the herdsmen ignited the crisis when one of them was prevented from raping a woman.

The herdsmen, displeased by the actions of the communities, were said to have staged a terrorist attack on the people and this eventually led to the death of several persons.

The residents have, however, called on the state government to checkmate the activities of the herdsmen which they said have caused them sleepless nights in the area.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Joseph Kwaji, confirmed the attack.

He said, “It is true that there was an attack by the herdsmen, but for now, I don’t have the full details of the crisis, so I cannot tell you the number of persons killed.”