SOUTHERN KADUNA: Reprisal attack of herdsman’s death leaves 37 dead

Fresh violence involving suspected Fulani herdsmen in the troubled region of southern Kaduna and youths of the area is said to have left about 37 persons dead and several others injured.

The incident it was learnt, happened on Sunday and Monday in Kajuru, Kajuru Local Government Area of the state following a fresh round of violence involving the youths and Fulani herders.

While an eyewitness report put the number of persons killed at about 37, Kaduna State Police Command denied knowledge of the number of casualties.

The renewed violence reportedly started after youths in the area allegedly killed a herdsman. They youths it was gathered accused the herdsmen of being among the bandits that had been terrorising the area.

Consequently, there was a reprisal attack from herdsmen, who allegedly stormed Ungwan Uka in Kajuru area of the state.

A youth from the affected place who would not want his name mentioned claimed that the allegedly murdered herdsman was harassing the people of the area.

According to him, the harassment got to a point that the youths became angry and mobilised, confronted him and in the process got him killed.

He further explained that the leader of the Fulani community in the area, who was aware that the murdered herder was a bandit, was informed about the development.

However, the herdsmen in the area were said to have insisted on avenging their own.

“The Chief of Kajuru even called them and spoke with them, but we were surprised that in the early hours of Sunday, they came and carried out the attack,” the youth who preferred anonymity said.

Five youths alleged to be involved in the killing of the herdsman, it was learnt were killed in the reprisal attack.

Following the death of the five, the youths were said to have mobilised again and attacked Fulani settlements in the area, burning their tents while living scores of them dead.

Salisu Mohammed, who claimed he witnessed the attack, said security agents were later drafted on Monday to the communities and that things calmed down.

But things later got out of hand when the security men left and Kadara youths launched another attack on Fulani settlements, killing no fewer than 10, Mohammed explained.

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“We do not know the actual number of casualties as our people are scattered all over running for dear life,” he said.

While burying some of the victims in a mass grave, Mohammed claimed that they got a message to prepare for the burial of another nine bodies recovered in the bushes.

Meanwhile, the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yakubu Sabo, reportedly said that the Police is aware of a misunderstanding among some individuals in the community and have along with the Army, brought the situation under control.

 

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