33 people have been confirmed dead in fresh clashes between villagers and Fulani herdsmen in southern Kaduna. Although it was reported that calm had been restored to villages in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Agyole Abeh said 27 Fulani, living in the area were killed by the villagers in two separate attacks, while six villagers died .
Abeh, at a press briefing in Kaduna, on Wednesday, stated that the incident started on July 11, when some villagers attacked a Fulani boy and his father.
He said the death of the boy later in a hospital, prompted some Fulani youths to attack the village, where those who allegedly killed the boy, hailed from and killed six of the villagers.
The police commissioner added, “The youths from the area immediately mobilised and went into the bush, attacking and killing, maiming and burning any Fulani settlement sighted.
“The police were contacted and we immediately moblilised and went to the scene, but the youths had already fled into the surrounding bushes leaving behind a death toll of 26 Fulani, mostly women and children.
“The injured were also recovered and taken to hospital where they are receiving treatment.
“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.”
The commissioner said the police would arrest and prosecute “those responsible for this dastardly and callous act.”
