The number of those killed in the attack on three communities on Ebonyi-Benue borders by herdsmen on Monday rose to 52, The PUNCH learnt on Monday.

Armed herdsmen had invaded Odoke Ishieke, Obakota Ishieke and Ndiobasi Ishieke communities in the Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State at 3am on Sunday, killing over 30 persons. Those killed included pregnant women and nursing mothers.

All Facts Newspaper reports that the three communities shared boundaries with the Ado LGA of Benue State.

It was gathered that since the invasion attack, security agents had been combing the brushes in the three communities and recovering dead bodies.

A resident of one of the affected communities, who simply gave his name as Nwegede, said 31 bodies were recovered in Ndiobasi Ishieke, six in Odoke Ishieke and 15 in Obakota Ishieke.

According to him, “Herdsmen cut Izzi people at Nwori Ndiobashi side. Most of the victims are at Sudan Hospital Onuenyimu right now battling machete cuts and gunshot injuries.”

As of Monday evening, many victims of the attack were still receiving treatment at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital 2, Abakaliki and a health centre close to the scene of the incidents, AMURT.

A strong stakeholder from one of the affected communities, Onyekachi Nwebonyi told journalists that over 30 bodies had been evacuated from bushes around the affected communities while soldiers were still recovering more bodies from the bushes.

Nwebonyi, who is the Commissioner for Capital City Development in the state, said the affected communities were thrown into trauma, thus leaving the people in panic.