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Scores Reported Killed in Village Raids in Nigerian Land Conflict Scores Reported Killed in Village Raids in Nigerian Land Conflict
(6 months later)
KANO, Nigeria — Gunmen on motorbikes killed at least 69 people and burned down several homes in attacks on four villages related to conflicts over land in northwestern Nigeria, a state lawmaker said Thursday. KANO, Nigeria — Gunmen on motorbikes killed at least 69 people and burned down several homes in attacks on four villages related to conflicts over land in northwestern Nigeria, a state lawmaker said Thursday.
The lawmaker, Abbas Abdullahi Michika, said that the attacks in the four villages in Katsina State erupted on Tuesday and that women and children were among the victims.The lawmaker, Abbas Abdullahi Michika, said that the attacks in the four villages in Katsina State erupted on Tuesday and that women and children were among the victims.
“So far, 69 bodies have been recovered from the attacks carried out by a large group of gunmen riding on motorcycles,” Mr. Michika said. “Rescue teams are still combing nearby bushes in search for more bodies.”“So far, 69 bodies have been recovered from the attacks carried out by a large group of gunmen riding on motorcycles,” Mr. Michika said. “Rescue teams are still combing nearby bushes in search for more bodies.”
He said that 47 people were killed in the village of Mararrabar Maigora while seven deaths were recorded in Kura Mota and in Unguwar Rimi. Eight people were killed in the village of Maigora, he said.He said that 47 people were killed in the village of Mararrabar Maigora while seven deaths were recorded in Kura Mota and in Unguwar Rimi. Eight people were killed in the village of Maigora, he said.
The state’s police chief, Hurdi Mohammed, who gave a toll of 30 dead, said the violence was carried out by ethnic Fulani herdsmen, who have been blamed for scores of deadly raids in the region.The state’s police chief, Hurdi Mohammed, who gave a toll of 30 dead, said the violence was carried out by ethnic Fulani herdsmen, who have been blamed for scores of deadly raids in the region.
Fulani leaders have for years complained about the loss of grazing land that is crucial to their livelihood, and resentment between the herdsmen and local Hausa farmers has been rising over the past decade.Fulani leaders have for years complained about the loss of grazing land that is crucial to their livelihood, and resentment between the herdsmen and local Hausa farmers has been rising over the past decade.
While there is no religious element to the conflict in Katsina, which is overwhelmingly Muslim, tensions between the Fulani and Hausa farmers have worsened in recent months.While there is no religious element to the conflict in Katsina, which is overwhelmingly Muslim, tensions between the Fulani and Hausa farmers have worsened in recent months.
Residents have blamed the Fulani for several violent robberies this year and a shooting that killed three people in Katsina this month.Residents have blamed the Fulani for several violent robberies this year and a shooting that killed three people in Katsina this month.
The state police chief insisted that this week’s attacks were not linked to the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, whose insurgency has killed more than 500 people in the northeast already this year.The state police chief insisted that this week’s attacks were not linked to the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, whose insurgency has killed more than 500 people in the northeast already this year.
Cattle, livestock and other goods have been stolen in previous attacks for which the Fulani have been blamed, but there were no reports of theft in the latest raids.Cattle, livestock and other goods have been stolen in previous attacks for which the Fulani have been blamed, but there were no reports of theft in the latest raids.
“The gunmen were just on a killing spree,” Mr. Michika said. “They opened fire on the people and burnt their homes without taking anything from their victims.”“The gunmen were just on a killing spree,” Mr. Michika said. “They opened fire on the people and burnt their homes without taking anything from their victims.”