A clash between farmers in the Kajuru, Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state and Fulani herdsmen has led to the killing of at least 37 indigenes and farmers.
The village was reportedly attacked by the herders in a renewed clash between Sunday, July 16 and Monday, July 17. The report said while many died, scores villagers were also injured in the clash.
We learnt that the violence started when Kadara youths in the in the village attacked and reportedly killed a herdsman, who had been identified as one of those that had terrorized the communities for some time.
The killing of the herdsman reportedly prompted a reprisal attack from his colleagues, who allegedly stormed Ungwan Uka.
According to a resident of the affected village, the killed herdsman was caught harassing people and then lynched. He said even though the Fulani herdsmen in the area knew about the activities of the alleged bandit killed, they vowed to avenge his death.
The source reportedly said: “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 reprisal initially led to the death of five youths said to be involved in the killing of the alleged bandit and this led to further clash between the Kadara youths and the Fulani settlers in the area.
The report quoted Salisu Mohammed, one of those who witnessed the attack as saying some security agents were drafted to the area for peace. However, once the security agents left, the violence resurfaced with at least 10 people killed and properties destroyed.
“These are the bodies that have been recovered. We do not know the actual number of casualties as our people are scattered all over running for dear life,” he said. According to him, those killed were buried in a mass grave.
The acting police public relations officer of the command, ASP Yakubu Sabo, said the force knows about a misunderstanding among some individuals in the community, which later led to a clash. He also said the clash was stopped by a combination of the police and army. According to him, the police is not able to confirm the number of casualties.
