Kaduna state police on Wednesday confirmed the death of 33 villagers in Kajuru local government area of the state, due to an outbreak of violence between suspected herdsmen and farmers.
A total of 27 Fulani people living in the area were killed by the villagers in two separate attacks, while six villagers died.
Agyole Abeh, the state commissioner for police, said at a press briefing that the incident started on July 11, when some villagers attacked a Fulani boy and his father.
He said that the death of the boy later in a hospital, prompted some Fulani youth to attack the village where those who allegedly killed the boy hailed from and in the process six villagers died.
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“The youths from the area immediately mobilised and went into the bush attacking and killing, maiming and burning any Fulani settlement within their sight,” Abeh said.
“The police were contacted and immediately moblilized and went to the scene, but the youths had already fled into the surrounding bushes leaving behind a death toll of 26 Fulanis, which are mostly women and children.
“The injured were also recovered and taken to hospital where they are receiving treatment.
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“Calm has been restored to the area and a joint police/military presence has been beefed up in the area to bring about lasting peace and restore confidence in the people of the community.”
Abeh said calm has however been restored to the area while giving assurance that the police would arrest and prosecute “those responsible for this dastardly and callous act”.
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