No fewer than four persons have been confirmed dead in an attack by Fulani herdsmen in Kwanan Mariga, Rafi local government area, Niger State .
The State Police Command’s police public relations officer, Bala Elkana (ASP), who confirmed killing in Minna yesterday, stated that the attack was a revenge for the alleged killing of a herdsman by three youths who accused him of being part of those who killed three vigilante members two months ago.
The spokesman said it was alleged that three youths of the village had accosted the herder in front of a shop at the weekend during Sallah celebration and killed him in the process, leading to some of his colleagues retreating to mobilize for a reprisal attack which led to the killing of four of the villagers.
He also stated that four persons also sustained injuries in the attack, three persons were arrested by the police, adding that the police were on the trail of other herdsmen who carried out the attack .
Elkana disclosed that those injured were admitted at the Kalgara General Hospital and were receiving treatment, and vowed that all those involved in all the attacks would be arrested.
The incidences of herdsmen and villagers clashes have been on the increase in the state, added to the increased rate of violent cattle rustling in some parts of the state.
Two weeks earlier in Gbami village in Lapai local government, three herdsmen killed a farmer who protested the invasion of his farm by the herdsmen with their herd of cows.