3 die as cows cause another herdsmen/farmers clash

A fresh clash between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers has led to the death of three people at Akpagodogbo, in Otukpa Local Government Area of Benue state.

According to a report by The Punch, the crisis started after cows trespassed on farmlands in the area and destroyed the farmers' crops.

The destruction of crops angered the farmers who, with some youths in the community, chased after the herdsmen.

The clash, which reportedly lasted between Wednesday, August 9 2017, and Thursday, August 10, led to the death of two locals and one Fulani herdsman.

According to The Punch, a local resident said, "The problem started around 4.00pm when cows strayed into the farmlands at the time farmers were still working in their farms. This infuriated the farmers and they chased away the cattle and the herdsmen.

"This is not the first time the Fulani herdsmen have been attacking us here, and our livelihood is farming. For the cattle to have gone and destroyed our farmlands, the youths had to mobilise themselves and joined the farmers to resist the attack.

"As at this morning (Thursday), three persons have been killed. Among them were two young men from this village and one Fulani man."

The state's Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident to The Punch but said there was no casuality.