Farmer-herder conflict kills three in Nigeria
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Leadership
A conflict between farmers and herders has left three people dead in Karmo, Nasarawa State, after livestock destroyed crops. Homes and motorcycles were also set on fire, while a curfew was imposed to prevent further violence, according to a local council official quoted by Leadership.
At least three people were killed on Wednesday 4 November in clashes between farmers and herders in Karmo, in the Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, following a dispute over the destruction of crops by livestock, according to a local council official quoted by Leadership on Sunday. Several houses and motorcycles were also destroyed. The conflict began after a herd entered a farm and damaged a woman's crops, and she was reportedly killed with a machete during an argument with a herder.
Following the woman's death, young people from the community went to a Fulani settlement, where two other people were killed in the ensuing clashes, according to the local official. The herders subsequently launched a retaliatory attack in which houses and other property were set on fire.
Toto Local Government chairman Ahmed Baba Yahaya imposed a curfew in Karmo and neighbouring communities following a meeting with traditional leaders and security officials. Nasarawa State Secretary to the Government Labaran Magaji called on residents on Saturday to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands during a visit to meet the victims' families and assess the destruction.
