More than 20 people have reportedly been killed in Kokoli community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, following a fresh outbreak of violence between rival local groups.
More than 300 households have also fled their homes and taken shelter in nearby bushes for safety.
The incident has raised fresh fears in Borgu and Agwara, where residents have already faced repeated attacks by bandits. Some residents now sleep in bushes at night to avoid attacks.
Shettiman Borgu Jafar Muhammad, a title holder and Federal legislator from the area, disclosed this in an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Saturday.
Jafar said the security situation in Borgu and Agwara was becoming increasingly worrying.
“As I’m talking to you, there was an attack in the village of Kokoli where over 20 peasants were killed,” he said, alleging that the attackers looted the victims and took weapons and motorcycles belonging to some of those killed.
He said the communities, once mainly troubled by bandit attacks, were now facing internal clashes involving local vigilante groups and other armed groups.
He alleged that Hausa, Kambari, Bargawa and Fulani communities were involved in the growing conflict, warning that the situation had become too dangerous for residents.
Jafar also criticised the low number of security personnel in the affected areas, saying those available were mainly stationed in Agwara and Pape and could not respond properly.
He appealed to the state and Federal governments to urgently send more security personnel.
He said over 300 households had moved into bushes allegedly controlled by bandits, while others fled to Yauri and Ngaski in Kebbi State.
Jafar urged the parties to embrace dialogue, saying force alone could not bring lasting peace.
NOTE: The image above is illustrative.
