* As war over sharing lawmaker’s largesse spread, Deputy Governor visits ravaged villages, imposes curfew
No arrest yet- police
By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
No fewer than 100 people have reportedly been killed in fresh communal war between communities in Rafi local government area of Niger state.
The communal crisis broke out last week during which police confirmed 18 deaths and reconciliations measures to avert further crises.
However, it was learnt that the crisis escalated to full blown war at the weekend and quickly spread to other six communities resulting in the death of over 100 villagers.
Residents of the waring communities told our reporter on condition of anonymity, that the genesis of the crisis emanated from disagreements between the Kamuku and Fulani people over the sharing of financial largesse donated by the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District during the recent APC primaries
They said that contrary to government claims that the crisis originated from land dispute, it actually began after the largesse donated by the lawmaker was shared and some Fulani groups felt short changed.
“The Fulani leader who took their share to his people was beaten up and asked to return the money. But the man was later discovered to have died mysteriously which his kinsmen blamed on the Kamuku people. The Fulani men then launched attack on Kamuku community and since then it has been one attack and another in reprisals “, they said.
It was learnt that the weekend attack began few hours after the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmed Garba Gunna led a reconciliatory committee to a meeting with the fulani leaders in their communities
Meanwhile the state government has imposed curfew in the affected areas while urging the traditional rulers of the area to ensure genuine reconciliation and total return of peace.
The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba gave the directive on Monday during assessment visit to the affected communities.
Representing the Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the Deputy Governor also ordered the immediate deployment of all available security resources to the troubled areas and urged security forces to implement proactive strategies to manage the crisis and avert further escalation.
The police confirmed fresh skirmishes in the area, adding that tactical teams have been deployed to the affected villages but didn’t give casualty figure on the fresh incidents.
The Police Public Relations Officer PPRO of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun told our reporter that,
” for now no arrest has been made. The Command has deployed tactical teams to the area and normalcy has returned “.
