Abuja: At least 40 people, including a
policeman, have been killed in clashes between herders and
farmers in central Nigeria.
Sources said the violence erupted on Friday when
nomads attacked a village called Ubeni Gida in Nasarawa state,
leading to the loss of lives and burning of houses.
The fighting follows weeks of tensions between the two
groups.
The crises first occurred on the sixth of December,
Nasarawa state police commissioner Shehu Babalola said.
"It was calmed down by the intervention of men of my
command but it recurred on Friday resulting in the death of
over forty resident of the community" Babalola said.
Following the Clash about 2000 villagers have fled
their homes and are now seeking refuge in neighbouring
villages.
Babalola said anti-riot policemen and army personnel
were brought in to quell the crisis and the situation has been
brought under control while police has made several arrest.
The governor of the state, Aliyu Akwe Doma has ordered
to beef up the security in the area.
Clashes between Fulani, who are famous for herding
cattle and Hausa ethnic group over grazing fields is common in
central Nigeria.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 13:26