Unknown gunmen have killed about 17 persons at Ula-Upata and Edoha in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, an online report this evening by Daily Trust said.

“An eyewitness said the gunmen invaded Ula-Upata community at about 1:00 p.m. and killed 12 persons. He said the gunmen came back at 9:00 p.m. the same day and killed another two persons,” the report said.

It did not specify the day of the atrocity but quoted the unnamed witness as saying that the gunmen later moved to Edoha community and beheaded four persons.

“He said the headless bodies of the victims were littered on the road,” the report said.

It quoted the State Police Command Assistant Public Relations Officer, Grace Koko, as saying that she would react to the incident later.