No fewer than 48 residents have been killed, many others injured and several properties damaged during a violent clash between herders and farmers in Niger state.
The deceased persons of mainly women and children were said to have been unable to escape the wrath of the violence which happened between the Fulani herders and Kamuku groups farmers, which has lingered for long, some of them hacked, while others died of gunshots, many others in severe condition and in need of medical intervention, all causing grief in the community.
This mishap at the Mararraban Gwadaro and Tashan Bako in Rafi Local Government Area, yesterday, is was believed to be a reprisal for an earlier confrontation between the same communities a few weeks ago that reportedly claimed one life.
The residents bemoaned the tragedy, stating that is has left families devastated, most of those affected were vulnerable residents who had little chance of defending themselves,” a community source told correspondents on Thursday morning.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Rafi Local Government Area, Ayuba Katako, condemned the killings and said an investigation had commenced to identify those behind the attack.
Katako said, “No responsible government will stand by and watch its citizens being killed without taking action,” adding that the community had security personnel deployed to the affected communities to prevent further violence and restore peace.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said he would obtain details of the incident and provide an official update.