From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin-Kebbi
Two farmers have been reportedly killed during a clash between Fulani herdsmen and famers in Giromasa village, Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Daily Sun gathered that the latest clash occurred on Wednesday evening after a court in the state ruled in favour of the Fulanis on a river that separate them from farmers in the villages.
It was gathered that after the court judgment, tension arose as both parties were still laying claims of being owners of the land where the river that separated them is situated.
It could be recalled that last week Monday, Governor Abubakar Atiku Abubakar of Kebbi State and security agencies averted reprisal attack of the Fulani community after a farmer allegedly killed a cattle rearer, Mallam Muhamadu Rabo, a 32-years-old resident of Mai Zagga village.
A reliable source, which preferred anonymity told Daily Sun yesterday that the recent clash occurred after the Fulani group was claiming ownership over the river by preventing farmers to have access to the area.
It was learnt that both parties mobilised with dangerous weapons and clashed on the disputed land, leaving two farmers died on the spot.
Kebbi State Police Public Relationship Officer (PPRO), DSP Suleiman Mustapha, in a telephone interview with Daily Sun yesterday evening confirmed the incident. He however said that only one person from the farmer’s side died while another farmer was missing. He stressed that the police is still searching inside the river for the missing farmer.
He said: “What I can confirm to you is that there was a clash between Fulanis and farmers over ownership of river land that separated them. One farmer’s body has been recovered and we are still looking for a missing farmer.”
He added that the affected area was sharing boundaries with Bagudo and Dakingeri local government areas, adding that the police had restored peace in the area.