10 killed in clashes between Fulani herdsmen and Farmers in Niger State
Tue Jul 12, 2016 08:56:am Gist
3.1K By Buchi Obichie
Clashes between suspected Fulani herdsmen and farmers in two communities in Niger State, have resulted in the death of at least 10 persons.
The clashes occurred at Bokuta village, Bosso Local Government Area, where 6 people were killed; and Tungan Mallam village in the Paikoro LGA, where 4 died.
According to a resident of Bokuta, who gave an account of the fracas, trouble began in the community on Thursday, July 7, when a farmland was invaded by some fulani herdsmen, whose Cattle destroyed the Crops.
One of the invading herdsmen was killed and another injured, when the owner of the farm engaged the invaders in a scuffle.
In the Tungan Mallam clash, a source disclosed that a youth had on Friday reared cattle into a large farmland where maize, sorghum, yam and soya beans were grown and destroyed the crops.
After the owners of the farm complained, one of them was killed by the erring youth and other herdsmen.
According to the source, as retaliation for the murder of the farmer, other farmers regrouped and went on a reprisal, killing three herdsmen.
The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala James, who confirmed the clashes, said eight persons were killed while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The PPRO said two suspects had been arrested and that there were ongoing dialogues to forestall the crises.
He 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."
The Niger State Governor, Sani Bello, while reacting to the incidents as he visited the affected communities, stated that the masterminds of the violent clashes would be brought to book.
"Nobody has the power or right to take the life of others. These senseless and unwarranted killings cannot and will not be condoned.
"You cannot just take machete and kill somebody because of disagreement. There are laws and nobody can claim to be above the law.
"I have instructed the chairmen of the affected councils, the Commissioner of Police and my Special Adviser on Security to fish out the masterminds of the two clashes as well as their accomplices.
"I have also directed for comprehensive investigations into the incidents with a view to prosecuting and bringing the culprits to book."
The clashes occurred at Bokuta village, Bosso Local Government Area, where 6 people were killed; and Tungan Mallam village in the Paikoro LGA, where 4 died.
According to a resident of Bokuta, who gave an account of the fracas, trouble began in the community on Thursday, July 7, when a farmland was invaded by some fulani herdsmen, whose Cattle destroyed the Crops.
One of the invading herdsmen was killed and another injured, when the owner of the farm engaged the invaders in a scuffle.
In the Tungan Mallam clash, a source disclosed that a youth had on Friday reared cattle into a large farmland where maize, sorghum, yam and soya beans were grown and destroyed the crops.
After the owners of the farm complained, one of them was killed by the erring youth and other herdsmen.
According to the source, as retaliation for the murder of the farmer, other farmers regrouped and went on a reprisal, killing three herdsmen.
The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala James, who confirmed the clashes, said eight persons were killed while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The PPRO said two suspects had been arrested and that there were ongoing dialogues to forestall the crises.
He 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."
The Niger State Governor, Sani Bello, while reacting to the incidents as he visited the affected communities, stated that the masterminds of the violent clashes would be brought to book.
"Nobody has the power or right to take the life of others. These senseless and unwarranted killings cannot and will not be condoned.
"You cannot just take machete and kill somebody because of disagreement. There are laws and nobody can claim to be above the law.
"I have instructed the chairmen of the affected councils, the Commissioner of Police and my Special Adviser on Security to fish out the masterminds of the two clashes as well as their accomplices.
"I have also directed for comprehensive investigations into the incidents with a view to prosecuting and bringing the culprits to book."
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