Residents of the Gudun-Karya area within the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory have fled their residences after a violent confrontation between farmers and herders led to the deaths of four individuals and the destruction of several homes.
Ishaya Musa, a local resident, recounted that the violence began last Wednesday at approximately 10:23 am when an altercation erupted between a farmer and a herder on a farming premises in the community.
Musa recounted that issues commenced when the farmer discovered herds of cattle grazing on his cassava crops upon arriving at his field.
He approached the herder to express concern over the destruction to his farm. During this confrontation, the herder reportedly assaulted the farmer, inflicting multiple severe cuts that ultimately led to the farmer's demise before he could be transported to a nearby hospital.
Musa indicated that the news of the attack incited local youths, who swiftly organized a retaliatory response, resulting in further violence and the loss of four lives.
“The late farmer found cattle feasting on his cassava. He engaged in a quarrel with the herder, and suddenly, the herder produced a cutlass and fatally wounded the farmer,” Musa stated.
He further mentioned that the enraged youths wreaked havoc by setting fire to numerous residences and herder huts within the community. This escalation of violence generated significant unrest, prompting both community members and herders to flee for their safety.
In an official response, Alhaji Jibrin Wakili Madudgu, the chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the FCT, confirmed the occurrence of the incident.
He noted that the association is set to convene with Alhaji Abdullahi Suleiman Sabo, chairman of the Kuje Area Council, to discuss the clash; a press briefing is expected before the week concludes to provide updates.
“I have just received information about the clash involving farmers and herders at Gudun-Karya community, and we will meet with the chairman of Kuje on this matter. We will inform the press on developments before the end of the week,” he communicated to our reporter via telephone on Monday.
Additionally, the councilor for Gudun-Karya Ward, Bitrus Rabo, verified the incident during a telephone conversation on Sunday.
According to Rabo, the fatalities included three herders and one local resident. He confirmed that many houses belonging to both the natives and herders were torched, but security forces have since been deployed to restore order in the area.
“Currently, the situation has been brought under control. Security personnel, led by the area’s DPO, have helped to restore peace, and those who fled their homes are beginning to return,” confirmed Rabo.
The police acknowledged the incident but refrained from providing specific details, advising inquiries be directed to the FCT Police Command. Attempts to reach SP Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the command, were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
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