The assailants were said to have struck  Tse Chia  Mbarstev ward and wrecked havoc between Friday and Saturday in what is believed to be a retaliatory attack.

Some gunmen had about five days ago invaded Zaki Biam town, destroying the International Yam market and killing over 50 persons, Punch reports.

It was gathered that the latest attack occurred around 1 am on Friday, March 24 as the attackers set ablaze four buildings while a new set of gunmen reportedly carried out another attack on Saturday, March 25, killing about ten persons.

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The report quoted a villager as saying: "Around 1am on Friday some gunmen entered our village and set ablaze four buildings, one of the buildings belongs to a family of three who were burnt to ashes.

"In a reprisal attack, a gang of gunmen stormed the area and shot at people, killing about ten persons and injuring several others.

"As am talking to you now, the village has been deserted."

Confirming the incident, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Moses Yamu said three persons were killed.

"What happened is that youths from Zaki Biam mobilised themselves and went on a reprisal attack in the area. They burnt down the house of one of the drivers of the gunmen who attacked Zaki Biam last Tuesday," he said.

"Four flats were burnt and three persons were killed. I want to urge the youths not to take the law into their hands but allow law enforcement agencies do their job,"  Yamu added.