At least 25 persons were reportedly killed and several others seriously wounded over the weekend when suspected herdsmen attacked Etogi Community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to reports, the attack followed an earlier altercation between Fulani youth and members of the affected community which resulted in the death of one of the herdsmen.

The said disagreement is believed to have ensued when the herdsmen refused to remit an agreed percentage of the proceeds from their farm produce as appreciation for the pieces of land given to them to farm by the community.

Angered by the unfortunate death of their colleague, the herdsmen allegedly reinforced and launched an attack on the community’s mosque when Muslim faithfuls were observing their early morning prayers, slaughtering everybody including the Imam.

Confirming the report, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bala Elkana, said at least 20 people were killed in the reprisal attack.

“The killing of a herder was managed but it appears they were not satisfied and decided to retaliate. About eight people sustained several degrees of injuries during the attack and are recuperating in a nearby hospital,” Elkana said.

He further added that mobile policemen and officials of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) have been deployed in the area to checkmate further breakdown of law and order.