Ethnic clash kills 15 in Kebbi as residents flee homes

Residents of Lafagu community in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State have fled their homes following an ethnic clash that reportedly killed 15 people, including the village head, Alhaji Sa’idu Mujeli.

The affected residents have reportedly relocated to Bagudo town for safety as tension remains high in the community.

The violence involved members of the Fulani and Kambari communities and also affected the nearby Buya community.

According to information obtained by DAILY POST, the violence escalated after an earlier confrontation between members of the two communities, leading to retaliatory attacks.

The Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Umar Muhammad Hadejia, confirmed the incident and said six suspects had been arrested in connection with the killings.

He said three of the suspects were being held at the Criminal Investigation Department office in Kaoje, while the other three were at the CID office in Birnin Kebbi.

Hadejia said the violence followed an earlier incident involving the alleged killing of two people, which was followed by a retaliatory attack in Lafagu.

The clash reportedly resulted in the deaths of Mujeli and 14 other people in Lafagu and Buya communities.

A member of the late village head’s family alleged that the violence began with attacks on Fulani residents in the area.

He further alleged that some attackers entered Lafagu and went from house to house searching for Fulani residents.

The family member said the attackers later reached the village head’s residence, took him away and set his house ablaze before killing him at another location.

The latest violence has heightened fears among residents, with many abandoning the affected communities and seeking refuge in Bagudo town.

Security personnel have reportedly been deployed to the affected areas to restore calm and prevent further attacks.

The identity of those responsible for the killings remains under investigation, while conflicting accounts have emerged over the circumstances surrounding the violence.