Gunmen have killed and beheaded the village head of Lafagu community in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The incident occurred on Sunday, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman. Usman confirmed the killing in a text message but did not disclose the identity of the deceased traditional ruler. The police have arrested some suspects in connection with the incident and will provide further details after investigations.
The killing may be linked to an armed ethnic militia operating in the area rather than bandits or Lakurawa insurgents, according to findings by a correspondent. Members of the Fulani, Kambarawa, and Bargawa communities had lived together in the area for decades until the recent escalation of insecurity, allegedly associated with cattle rustling and kidnapping. The situation in Lafagu and neighboring communities is tense, with residents expressing fear of further attacks.
A source, Tukur Kaoje, alleged that some residents of the Bargawa and Kambarawa communities accused Fulani residents of being behind the attacks and subsequently formed armed groups to confront them. Kaoje claimed that the militia recently attacked Boya village, where scores of Fulani were reportedly killed. The motive behind the killing of the village head is still unclear, but it is believed to be linked to the escalating communal tensions in the area.
The police have made some arrests in respect of the incident and will provide details later, according to SP Bashir Usman. The PPRO confirmed that the village head was killed in Lafagu under Bagudo Local Government but did not provide further information. The incident has sparked fears of escalating communal violence in the area, with residents calling for government intervention to prevent further attacks.
Kaoje warned that failure to address the situation could lead to a wider cycle of communal violence and make the crisis increasingly difficult to contain. He urged the government to urgently intervene to prevent further escalation and restore peace to the affected communities. The situation in Lafagu and neighboring communities remains tense, with residents living in fear of further attacks.
The killing of the village head has raised concerns about the security situation in Kebbi State. The state has been experiencing insecurity issues, including cattle rustling and kidnapping, which have led to communal tensions. The government has been urged to take decisive action to address the situation and prevent further attacks.
The incident has also raised concerns about the activities of armed ethnic militias in the area. The militias have been accused of carrying out attacks on communities, leading to the displacement of residents. The government has been urged to take action to disarm and disband the militias to restore peace to the affected communities.
Key points
- The killing of the village head may be linked to an armed ethnic militia operating in the area.
- The incident has sparked fears of escalating communal violence in the area.
- The government has been urged to urgently intervene to prevent further escalation and restore peace to the affected communities.
