30 killed, scores injured in Fulani herdsmen, Eggon farmers clash

By ABEL DANIEL

LAFIA—The feud between Fulani herdsmen and Eggon farmers in Nasarawa State hightened yesterday as fresh fighting erupted in Randa Village, near Kwandere, causing tension in Lafia, the state capital. At the time of filing this report, no fewer than 30 people were said to have been killed with several others wounded.

Source told Vanguard that Kwandere Village where the Fulani are taking refuge has become the base from where they operate and carry out reprisal attack on nearby villages,’’ adding that tension was high in Ombi 1, Ombi 2, Nasarawa Eggon and Kwandere all in Lafia North Local Government, just as people, mostly the Nasarawa State Polytechnic students were seen running helter-shelter for fear of attack by Fulanis from the nearby village.

The cause of the on-going fight was not immediately known even as the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Michael Ada told Vanguard that he was not in the position to say anything until he get full details.

The Nasarawa State government ordered deployment of policemen in the troubled areas but the attack had not subsided. According to a security source, the Fulani attackers invaded the village called, Igah unknown to the soldiers deployed to ensure security, leaving eight persons dead.

This attack started barely a week after the state government asked the displaced people to return to their ancestral homes with security beefed up in the various communities. Last Saturday, the government organized a round table discussion with the Fulanis and the Agatu people, urging them to forget the past and live in peace with each other.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at the Dalhatu Specialist Hospital in Lafia.