No fewer than four persons have died following a clash between Hausa and Fulani youths in Sokoto State.
The incident reportedly happened near Nigeria/Niger Republic border in the state.
On Tuesday, a herder on who spoke to LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity on the incident said, “Last Wednesday, Hausa people returned from the bush to find out that two of their brothers were missing. They suspected Fulanis and blamed us for their disappearance.
“Looking at the situation and considering what might follow, our leader instructed us to vacate our settlements. But before we did that, they (Hausa people) stormed our place last night, set fire to our makeshift huts and killed two of our people.”
We have since reported the matter to the local government chairman,” he added.
But, according to the council chairman, the crisis started over a land dispute between Fulani herders and Hausa farmers.
“A few days before the clash, some members of the Hausa farming community went to the bush but unusually could not see a single Fulani in their settlements. Surprisingly they began to hear gunshots from all angles.
“By the time the dust was settled, there were casualties on the Hausa sides. Four people, two from both sides were killed,” Maikano said.
The latest information according to the local government chairman was that, negotiation was ongoing to broker peace between the warring communities.
