By Wole Mosadomi
MINNA — THE Niger State Police Command has arrested nine persons suspected to have raided three villages — Cheku, Yelwa and Bina — in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State Tuesday night where 14 people were killed.

The suspects who masterminded the raid and killing are said to be Fulani herdsmen who are grazing on lands illegally in the area.

Addressing journalists in Minna, yesterday, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Michael Zuokumor, said the Fulani that carried out the killings were not from Niger State but assured that others who were behind the act and now at large would be brought to book.

The commissioner explained that problem started when some Fulani invaded Cheku village and had a field day with their cows grazing on the land thereby destroying some crops in the farms which led to crisis between the villagers and the Fulani, leaving one of the villagers dead.

Zuokumor said this singular act infuriated the villagers who mobilised themselves for retaliation which escalated to a full blown fight in the village leaving some Fulani also dead.

The Fulani, it was gathered, also mobilised and raided the three villages midnight leaving several people dead.
Meanwhile, the state House of Assembly has passed a resolution to send relief materials to victims of the affected villages while setting up a five-man ad-hoc committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the crisis in order to avert its spread to other areas.

The motion was moved by Mr Usman Magaji, representing Lapai constituency and seconded by the Majority Leader, Mr Haruna Labaran.

Members of the House Committee on Security are expected to visit the crisis areas to ascertain the extent of damage and casualties.