Twenty herdsmen and 83 cows were reportedly killed over the weekend in Adayi and Loko areas of Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State by gunmen suspected to be from the riverine areas of Benue and Nasarawa states.
But the state police spokesman, ASP Ismaila Numa, who confirmed the attack, said he could not ascertain the killing of people, adding that the police only received the report on the killing of 83 cows and that they had commenced investigation into the incident.
The Fulani leader of Adayi area, Mallam Bideri Ahmadu, said the killing of the cows was carried out by people suspected to be Agatu gunmen. The traditional ruler of Loko, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed Sabo, also fingered Agatu youths in the killing of 20 men in the attack. He said the youths crossed over from Benue at about 10:30 am on Saturday and started shooting sporadically, killing many people and cows.
Ahmadu said: “Upon realising they could not achieve their aim, the Agatu youths opened fire on the cows, killing many people and 83 cows instantly while others who sustained bullet wounds are lying in the bush,
” he said.
When newsmen visited the area, the paramount ruler of the area, the Mai Loko, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed Sabo, said in the recent past, over 20 men, women and children were killed in incessant attacks on Fulani people by Agatu youths.
