FRESH VIOLENCE: 5 Killed, Scores Displaced As Fulani Herdsmen Invade Makurdi

At least five persons were allegedly killed yesterday and several others displaced as there was a fresh outbreak of hostilities between some Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers at Adaka village, Makurdi Local Government Area.

According to report, the suspected Fulani herdsmen had invaded the area to avenge the killing of 30 of their cows by some youths in the area while another source said it was linked the dastardly activities of the Boko Haram sect.

The incident was said to have begun at about 4:30am, causing serious panic as men, women and children were running helter-skelter for safety.

A 70-year old displaced farmer, Samuel Ugba, said he heard shooting in the village at about 5.00 am, but thought it was coming from security agencies deployed to keep the peace in the area. He said it was when the shooting continued that he suspected that there was a problem and fled with his entire household of two wives and 17 children from the village.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel Ezeala said the command was yet to ascertain if anybody was killed. He said armed policemen were quickly detached to the affected areas to maintain peace and ordered residents that fled to return to their various houses.