A fresh clash between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen has led to the death of four the latter in Kadarko community, Keana Local government area of Nasarawa state during the weekend.
The clash occurred as a result of a fight that broke out between a Tiv farmer and a Fulani herdsman who encroached into his land, leading a herd of cows to graze on the farm land.
The farmer who could not bear the sight of his crops munched by the herd of cows confronted the Fulani herdsman who in turn, brought out a machete and charged towards the Tiv farmer.
The police command in Nasarawa state, through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ramham Nansel confirmed the incident and assured that investigation is being carried out on the killing of four Fulani herdsmen.
The police spokesman said that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kardarko had mobilised personnel to the area to calm the situation and prevent it from escalating more than it has.
Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattles Breeders Association (MACBAN), Nasarawa state chapter, Alhaji Mohammed Hussaini, accused the Tiv people in Nasarawa of masterminding the attack, stealing their cows and taking them to their brothers in Benue state.
According to him, one of the herdsmen called to inform him about the series of attacks in that area and the incident has been reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kadarko.
The chairman claimed that a Fulani man was killed and his head was cut off, while three others were also attacked and killed during grazing, 9 houses were also completely destroyed.
“Some days back, there were series of Killing in Keana especially at the Baki Kwarta axis where one was killed in Keana while three were attacked and killed in Kadarko all in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa, alleging that Tiv people in Nasarawa State conspired with Benue people to attacked Fulani herdsmen in Nasarawa State.
The president of Tiv Development Association (TIDA), Mr Boniface Ifer, debunked the involvement of his people in the attack, stating that, “the attack was between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv people from Benue state and not Tiv from Nasarawa state.
Mr Boniface claimed that the Tiv people in Nasarawa do not have any reason to attack the herdsmen as they do not have any problem with them.
He maintained that the problem started from Yalewata area of Benue State when a group of Fulani herdsmen crossed the border to graze in Benue.
“We were informed that the herdsmen were chased and attacked by Tiv from Benue state because of what they did in that state the attackers were from Benue State and not the Tiv people in Nasarawa state,” He maintained.
