The state governor, Sani
Bello, who visited the two communities, has reacted to the killings, saying
that the masterminds would be found and prosecuted.
Over ten people have been
reportedly killed in a clash between suspected Fulani herdsmen and farmers in
Bokuta village, Bosso Local Government Area, and Tungan Mallam village in the
Paikoro LGA, Niger state.
According to The Punch, six
people are believed to have been killed in Bokuta, while another four died at
the Tungan Mallam clash.
Isiaq, a resident of
Bokuta, disclosed that trouble started on Thursday, July 7, when the herdsmen
invaded a farm in the community and destroyed crops.
The owner of the farm was
said to have confronted the herdsmen after which a scuffle ensued and one of
the herdsmen was killed.
He said, “The following
day, herdsmen went on a reprisal and shot five farmers dead. The village was in
turmoil and nobody could go out for two days. It was the police and military
men who eventually came to restore peace.”
A source was also quoted to
have said that the clash in Tungan Mallam occurred on Friday after a young man
herded his cattle into a farm, destroying several crops.
The farm owners complained
to the herdsmen but were struck down by the young man and other herdsmen.
Farmers in the community
then came together and went on a reprisal attack, killing several herdsmen in
the process.
The source said,
“Government must take a bold step to solve this problem. Why must some people
destroy the means of livelihood of others to earn their living? It is unfair.”
Confirming the attacks, the
Benue state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala James, said, “It was the
issue of herders going into farmers’ crops and damaging them. On July 7, at
Bokuta village, there was an argument between the farmers and the herders and
we learnt that a herder was killed and another one injured.”
“The next day, herders
mobilised and went on a revenge mission. They killed three farmers and injured
two. The situation was brought under control by the police anti-riot team and
the military. Normalcy has been restored to the community. Two suspects –
Landan Adamu and Muhammed Musa, were arrested.”
“On Sunday at Tungan Mallam
village, some herdsmen also invaded a farm there and killed a farmer. Farmers
in that locality also went on a reprisal and killed three herdsmen. Altogether,
eight persons were killed.”
“To resolve these clashes,
consultations are ongoing. We have invited both parties to a meeting. The state
governor and the Commissioner of Police were at the meeting and a committee has
been set up to discuss the matter and proffer a more lasting solution to the problem.”
No comments:
Post a Comment