Farmers-herders clashes claim 21 lives in Nigeria’s Kogi state
No fewer than 21 people were killed in Nigeria’s Kogi state, according to residents, in the latest battle between herders and farmers in Africa’s most populous country, which has been spurred by rising demand for land.
Edibo Ameh Mark, chairman of Kogi’s Omala local government area, where the violence occurred, confirmed that approximately 21 people were buried early Friday.
He explained that the attack was retaliation by herders after the villagers killed six of them three days previously, including two by beheading.
Conflict between farmers and pastoralists has become more widespread in recent years as population growth expands agricultural land, leaving less ground suitable for open grazing for nomads’ animals to feed on.
Residents said the attack which lasted not more than 45 minutes was something never experienced before.
About 100 herdsmen were reported to have participated in the attack in the village, stressing that 19 dead bodies were found after the incident with an additional 15 found on Friday morning.
The latest deadly clashes between herders and farmers highlight the growing spate of insecurity that is ravaging the country.
Analysts say the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast has exacerbated the problem by sending herders into the Middle Belt and further south.
Factors such as climate change and increased aridity in the north are also blamed for the unabated clashes that have sent scores of people on the two sides into their early graves.
