Not less than 15 Fulani herdsmen have been reported killed in four local government areas of Kogi State.
Leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in the state disclosed this at the Government House, Lokoja, yesterday during an emergency security meeting summoned by Governor Yahaya Bello.
They said the incidents happened at Yagba West, Omala, Dekina and Igalamela local government areas of the state.
The Secretary of the association in charge of Yagba West, Mohammed Mainasara, said 11 Fulani resident in the council were killed.
The killing of a farmer, Ariyo Aina at Ogga community in Yagba West on Saturday by suspected herdsmen had resulted in reprisal attacks on Fulani communities in which about 10 lives were reportedly lost and some cows missing.
Governor Bello yesterday threatened to depose traditional rulers and sack local government administrators in four local government areas of the state where 15 Fulanis were allegedly killed if they fail to fish out their perpetrators within the next seven days.
He said he could not afford to play politics with human lives and therefore warned those who want to instigate crisis in the state in the name of politics to desist henceforth or be ready to face the consequences.
He vowed to apprehend and bring to book the perpetrators of the dastardly act, saying government would not allow the insecurity situation that occurred in Benue, Nasarawa and Zamfara States to happen in Kogi.
“These Fulanis have been staying with us in the state peacefully without any rancour; any politician or detractors who are behind this killings will be made to face the full wrath of the law as my administration will not spare anybody no matter how highly placed in the society,” he said.
The governor urged the security agencies to do more in order to keep the state safe.
The administrator of Yagba West where 11 Fulanis were allegedly killed, Joseph Olutimi, said he received a report that a farmer was allegedly killed by Fulani herdsmen on his farm, noting that he quickly informed the security agents who swung into action.
He said the Fulanis were killed by yet-to-be identified gunmen.
