An unspecified number of people were reportedly killed in clashes between herders and farmers in Kuwan-Kasa, Mararraban-Gwadaro and Tashan-Bako communities of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

The violence, which began on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday, also displaced scores of residents, mostly women and children, while several houses and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

Residents told Daily Trust that many of those killed were women, children and the elderly.

A resident, Ismaila Abubakar, said the clashes were still ongoing as of Wednesday.

“Today (Wednesday), two farmers were killed, and two others sustained serious injuries. One of the victims almost had his leg severed. They have been taken to a hospital in Minna,” he said.

He added that 10 members of a single family were killed on Tuesday, urging security agencies to intervene to stop the violence.

The clashes have also heightened tension in Kagara, the headquarters of Rafi Local Government Area.

Chairman of the council, Ayuba Usman Katako, confirmed the incident but declined to state the number of casualties.

He said investigations had begun to identify those responsible, assuring that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. He added that security personnel had been deployed to restore peace.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer in Niger State, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said only two deaths had been confirmed.

According to him, suspected gunmen shot dead a 25-year-old man, Ibrahim Musa, at Godoro village on June 29, while a group of vigilantes later killed another man, Bashir Mazi, in a reprisal linked to a lingering land dispute between two communities.

He said investigations were ongoing, while a reconciliation committee set up by the local government was working with security agencies to restore lasting peace. (Daily Trust)