NIGERIA: Herdsmen Kill Seven Christians Over Grazing Dispute

Fulani herdsmen killed at least six Christian villagers in central Nigeria on 10 March, after stabbing another to death the previous day because he objected to them grazing their cattle on his property, sources said.

The assailants who invaded Farin Dutse on Monday, a predominantly Christian village in Nasarawa State, Nasarawa County, also set homes ablaze, said area resident Esau Ezekiel.

“Many Christian villagers have been killed, six corpses have so far been recovered, and many houses set ablaze by rampaging Fulani herdsmen after they attacked our village,” Ezekiel told sources.

The herdsmen attacked at about 3am as residents were sleeping, he said.

The previous day, 9 March, villagers were attending a church worship service when a herdsman led his cattle onto a farm belonging to a Christian, Ezekiel said.

“The herdsman was spotted cutting down branches from one of the mango trees on the farm and feeding his cattle with the mango tree leaves,” he said. “The farmer asked him to lead his cattle out of the farm, but instead of complying with the instructions of the farmer to stop his cattle from destroying crops on the farm, the herdsman stabbed the Christian farmer to death.”

The herdsman led the other Fulanis in the early morning attack on Monday, Ezekiel said.

Wounded in the attack were Christians Samaniya Wa’azu, Vincent Ezekiel and Johnson Maikasuwa, he said.

The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the names and number of Christians killed in Monday’s attack, saying the corpses were identified as those of Simeon Madaki, Ayawu Senior, Sunday Wa’azu, Vincent Sunday, Taimako Senior and Filibus Jatau.

Ramhan Nansel, spokesman for the Nasarawa State Police, said in a statement that the three injured victims were taken to a medical centre for treatment.

“Some houses, shops, motorcycles and a car were also vandalised during the attack,” Nansel said. “To ensure law and order, the area has been reinforced with personnel from the Mobile Police of 69 PMF Toto, alongside other police operatives and the military, who are currently patrolling the vicinity.”