Communal clash in Niger

Five people have been confirmed dead and 11 critically injured in a communal clash between two villages in Agaie local government area of Niger State over farm land dispute.

The two warring villages Mazza and Tswachiko have been at dagger’s drawn over a piece of farm land for over four years until it got to a peak last Tuesday when four people lost their lives following an attack and counter attack by the two communities.

The fifth victim died at the early hours of Monday at the hospital from injury sustained from the attacks.

Several houses, two vehicles – a Sharon and Golf Volkswagen, 18 motorcycles and domestic animals were touched and burnt down to the rubbles in the violent face-off.

Hell was let loose between the two communities last week Tuesday morning when the people of Tswachiko was accused of farming on the land in violation of the directive of the paramount ruler of the area, the Emir of Agaie, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu.

This violation of the Emir’s directive irked the people of Mazza village and allegedly reacted violently by attacking the Tswachiko people on the farm which led to the death of a youth.

Disturbed by the development the Tswachiko community mobilised and launched a counter attack by invading Mazza village. The invasion killed three people and wrecked havoc on the village in retaliation of the morning attack.

Condemning the unfortunate incident, the Emir of Agaie, who visited the farm land and the two neighbouring villages Tuesday frowned at the senseless and unwarranted killing.

The visibly angered royal father ordered the indefinite suspension of the chiefs of the two warring villages and placed a ban on farming activities on the land until further notice.

The royal father also ordered a redeployment of all the district heads in the Emirate council. This he said would help bring sanity to the area.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Baba Elkan confirmed the incident and said that Police has commenced investigations on the matter.

“We are on top of the situation. Peace has since returned to the area, we have arrested 20 suspects in respect of the sad incident.

“From my last check only three people died, 11 are now at Federal Medical Centre, Bida for treatment from injuries sustained from the atacks,” Elkan disclosed.