Heavily armed and dangerous group of herdsmen
attacked Miza community in Kupaland, Lokoja Local Government Area of
Kogi State, destroying homes and properties according to local police
and journalists.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no mention of casualties, but a number of refugees have been reported in surrounding communities.
The locals claimed the Fulani herdsmen attacked after accusing the locals of stealing and killing their cows.
Witnesses told reporters that news of an impending attack got to Miza residents a few days after the herdsmen launched an initial assault on the area, prompting many residents to flee to neighbouring communities.
He said: We are surprised at the recent attack on our community because it came hours after we had a meeting at the Police headquarters in Lokoja.
“The Police had appealed to representatives of Kupa and Fulani communities to stop all forms of hostilities and allow peace to prevail in the area. Hours after the peace meeting, the herdsmen struck and ravaged our community.”
According to the eyewitness acount about 1,000 armed Fulani herdsmen were heading towards Miza.
The people, not willing to engage the attackers, sought refuge in neighbouring community and watched the herdsmen set their homes on fire.
Earlier this week, some suspected herdsmen were said to have attacked the village but the local vigilante repelled the attack and killed five of the suspected herdsmen while the others fled.
One journalist said: “Earlier in the week, some Fulani herdsmen had attacked Miza but the vigilante in the community repelled and killed five of them”.
“However, one person from Miza and another from Gbeduma community lost their lives during the fighting.”
Meanwhile, the Kogi Commissioner for Information, Zainab Okino has confirmed the incident and said there has been no casualty recorded.
He said: “There was an attack this morning but there was no casualty recorded. There was an earlier incident where the Fulanis alleged that the Miza people killed their cows and they went and attacked them.
“There has been crisis in the area and we have been trying to resolve the situation. We held a meeting with them yesterday and today (Saturday) we did the same thing.”
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no mention of casualties, but a number of refugees have been reported in surrounding communities.
Witnesses told reporters that news of an impending attack got to Miza residents a few days after the herdsmen launched an initial assault on the area, prompting many residents to flee to neighbouring communities.
He said: We are surprised at the recent attack on our community because it came hours after we had a meeting at the Police headquarters in Lokoja.
“The Police had appealed to representatives of Kupa and Fulani communities to stop all forms of hostilities and allow peace to prevail in the area. Hours after the peace meeting, the herdsmen struck and ravaged our community.”
According to the eyewitness acount about 1,000 armed Fulani herdsmen were heading towards Miza.
The people, not willing to engage the attackers, sought refuge in neighbouring community and watched the herdsmen set their homes on fire.
Earlier this week, some suspected herdsmen were said to have attacked the village but the local vigilante repelled the attack and killed five of the suspected herdsmen while the others fled.
One journalist said: “Earlier in the week, some Fulani herdsmen had attacked Miza but the vigilante in the community repelled and killed five of them”.
“However, one person from Miza and another from Gbeduma community lost their lives during the fighting.”
Meanwhile, the Kogi Commissioner for Information, Zainab Okino has confirmed the incident and said there has been no casualty recorded.
He said: “There was an attack this morning but there was no casualty recorded. There was an earlier incident where the Fulanis alleged that the Miza people killed their cows and they went and attacked them.
“There has been crisis in the area and we have been trying to resolve the situation. We held a meeting with them yesterday and today (Saturday) we did the same thing.”
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