A clash between Hausa and Fulani residents in Gudu local government area of Sokoto State, has reportedly claimed four lives.
Though, the local government chairman, Alhaji Umma Maikano, narrated that the incident happened on Saturday at Jimjimi, near Nigeria/Niger Republic border, police is however, yet to offer any explanation on the incident.
A herder who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Last Wednesday, Hausa people returned from the bush to find out that two of their brothers were missing. They suspected Fulanis and blamed us for their disappearance.
“Looking at the situation and considering what might follow, our leader instructed us to vacate our settlements. But before we did that, they (Hausa people) stormed our place last night, set fire to our makeshift huts and killed two of our people.”
“We have since reported the matter to the local government chairman,” he added.
But, according to the council chairman, the crisis started over a land dispute between Fulani herders and Hausa farmers.
“A few days before the clash, some members of the Hausa farming community went to the bush but unusually could not see a single Fulani in their settlements. Surprisingly they began to hear gunshots from all angles.
“By the time the dust was settled, there were casualties on the Hausa sides. Four people, two from both sides were killed,” Maikano said.
When contacted, spokesperson for the state police command, ASP Rufa’i Ahmad said he could not confirm the incident.
Ahmad, who claimed he was not in town but, promised to get the details and revert back to our correspondent, did not do so as at the time of filing this report.
The latest information according to the local government chairman was that, negotiation was ongoing to broker peace between the warring communities.
