Scores Dead As Fulani, Kamuku Communities Clash In Niger

More facts are emerging on the cause of the clash between the Kamukus and the Fulanis in Tashan Bako, Tegina in Rafi local government area of Niger state that claimed several lives.

LEADERSHIP Sunday findings revealed that no fewer than 20 people were killed in the clash but the police confirmed 18 deaths in the clash that occurred over the week.

The Niger Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu Abiodun (SP) confirmed that “the report received indicated that 15 people were reportedly burnt to death in a two-bedroom flat at Angwan-Baago of the community while one other person was also killed at another location, bringing the number of death to 18.”

LEADERSHIP Sunday, however, gathered that contrary to the report that the clash was caused by land dispute, it was ignited by the sharing formula of a N20 million gift given to the village by an unnamed politician.

It was learnt that the politician had announced a donation of N20 million to the Fulani community in the area but at the end the Fulanis received less than N10 million.

Annoyed by the development it was learnt that the Fulanis rejected the gift and later the bearer of the gift and another Fulani Man were killed in an unclear circumstances, making the people to point accusing finger at the Kamukus whom they initially had altercation with over land matters.

Acting on the suspicion of the earlier matter, it was learnt that the Fulanis mobilised their members to launch a reprisal attack and in the process, many houses with people inside, were set ablaze.

A community leader and former member of the Niger State House of Assembly, Mohammed Danladi Bako said the incident was caused by the N20 million gift and the sharing formula.

Also speaking on the issue, a member of the community, Dadayi Tasabak said the village has been abandoned for now while those who lost their family members have taken the corpses to bury them in others communities.

He said it was the land matter that caused the clash but the money donated exacerbated the longtime mutual distrust.