Dozens killed, over 50 houses razed in Nasarawa herdsmen attack

Mass burial held for victims

About 40 farmers, including women and children, have been killed by suspected herdsmen in Takalafiya village in the Gitata district of Panda Development Area in Karu Local Council.

An eyewitness, Moses, alleged that the attackers were Fulani, who invaded the village, shooting sporadically and throwing dynamites at houses while people slept.

Among the victims was a pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Daniel Danbeki, and several of his members, including women and children.

“They came on reprisal. We heard rumour that what they did to the people of Mada, in Kokona Local Council, would be replicated in Gitata district. Most of our people who fled have not returned and we don’t know their whereabouts,” Moses said.

Meanwhile, a mass burial was conducted on Saturday for 38 victims killed in Takalafia and Gwanja rural communities of Karu Local Council.
Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, who led a government delegation to the burial, condemned in strong terms the killings and destruction of property.

Akabe expressed shock, saying government would investigate causes of the attacks and bring the perpetrators to book. He also assured that the government would provide relief materials to displaced persons, even as he encouraged communities to provide credible information to relevant authorities.

Neighbouring communities, such as Angwan Bege, Angwan Madaki and Gidan Allah, occupied predominantly by Gwandara, Mada and Yeskwa tribes, were also attacked.

A community leader, who did not want his name in print, urged government to take herder-farmer clashes more seriously. Sobbing, he said: “If nothing is done to end these unprovoked attacks on innocent rural dwellers by herders, people will not continue to watch themselves and their ancestral homes razed. We are being pushed to the wall, and anything can happen.

“What is happening in neighbouring Southern Kaduna has gradually surfaced in Nasarawa State. Two of my children and wife were burnt to ashes, and you want me to just take it as an act of God? God never said wicked persons, who do not have regard for the lives of fellow humans, would burn my family. These killers don’t deserve to exist; they are evil people.”