Eleven People Dead As Herdsmen And Farmers Clash In Niger State

No fewer than eleven people were reportedly killed in clashes between farmers and cattle rearers at Barakuta Village in Bosso Local Government Area and Tungan Mallam in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The clashes which began in July 7, were caused by cattle rearers allegedly allowing their animals to graze on crops on other people’s farms. In Barakuta, seven people were said to have died in the fight which ensued while in Tungan Mallam, four people reportedly died. The casualties were from both sides—Fulani herdsmen and Gbagyi farmers.

Niger State governor, Sani Bello, visited the troubled communities on Monday and promised that the masterminds of the violence would be apprehended and made to face justice. He said: “I have instructed the chairman of the two 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 investigation into the incidents with a view to prosecuting and bringing the culprits to book.”

The Niger State governor expressed surprise at the ease with which disagreements between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria degenerated into blood-letting. He asserted: “Nobody has the power or right to take the life of others. These senseless and unwarranted killings cannot and must not be condoned. You cannot just take a machete and kill somebody because of disagreement. There are laws and nobody can claim to be above the law.”