By Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Police in Benue State have confirmed the killing on Monday of 13 persons in a community in Apa council area of the state.

A large number of gunmen invaded Edikwu district of the council in the early hours of yesterday, “shooting and killing 13 persons in commando style,” police spokesperson Kate Anene said in a statement.

Anene said a team of policemen deployed to the scene recovered 13 bodies  after the invasion, adding that investigation had begun.

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There has been crisis in the district over chieftaincy tussle.

In May, the state government convened a meeting headed by Deputy Governor Benson Abounu to resolve the contending issues among claimants to the chieftaincy title.

Edikwu district is located in Benue south senatorial district.