Vigilante group kills herdsmen, abduct others in Fulani communities

A Fulani community in Mahegu LGA, Niger,came under attack on Monday, and no fewer than nine persons were killed in Fulani settlements in the area.

Vigilantes from Maza-Kuka might have carried out the attack, as a  reprisal.

On October 25, some attackers suspected to be Fulani  invaded of a mosque in Maza-Kuka, killing 18 worshippers, and abducting  13 others.

The village head of Adogon-Mallam, a Fulani community, and his younger brother were killed after the attack at Maza-Kuka.

“Vigilantes came to our village and burnt our rooms and we ran away. My younger brother’s wife, Hawawu, and her 10-month-old-baby were killed,’ a source, Mohammed, from Gawun told the Daily Trust

“They also killed my younger brother’s 3-year-old son and his 10-year-old daughter. My younger brother, Aliyu, was also killed. They also killed my son, Mohammadu. He was 30 years. I lost 7 members of my family. I had to run; they would have killed me too.”

Mohammed said 51 cattle, 63 rams, 53 goats and a motorcycle were taken away while his younger brothers, Abdullahi and Ali, also lost 38 goats during the attacks.

“We have left the village. I live in a faraway place now. I won’t go back home because they will kill me. Some of our people are staying with relatives in Kontagora. We are afraid of going back to our settlements because they will kill us. We cannot even go to search for our animals.”

Another eye witness, who said he is also taking refuge outside Niger State, Alhaji Muhammadu Marike, said “Apart from Monday attack that led to the death of the village head and his younger brother in Adogon Mallam, they came back again and picked us. Luckily for me, one of the vigilantes who is very close to me asked them to let me go. That was how I escaped.”

“Eight persons were taken away and their whereabouts have not been known. Some of our people ran to as far as Jebba, Kano and Zaria due to renewed attacks,” he said.

Abubakar Saidu, the eldest son to the deceased village head of Adogon, said in another Fulani settlement, a new born baby and his mother were killed and their huts were set ablaze.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said the command had deployed tactical team for manhunt of those behind the attack.dsmen