A fresh wave of violence has rocked Tilli community in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State, as no fewer than ten people were killed in a reprisal attack on a Fulani settlement.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, was reportedly triggered by the killing of a vigilante member by suspected Lakurawa bandits.
The incident has left the once-peaceful community in shock, as residents say the retaliation was carried out in error.
According to eyewitnesses, some locals believed the Fulani herders living in the area were responsible for the vigilante’s death and decided to launch an attack in revenge.
“The reprisal attack was carried out in error. They thought the Fulani were responsible for the vigilante’s death,”
“Over ten people were killed, while several others sustained injuries. The search for more bodies is still ongoing.”
Following the attack, Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, led a government delegation to the affected settlement on Sunday afternoon.
He was joined by officials of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to commiserate with families of the victims and assess the extent of damage.
Sources said the visit was aimed at preventing a further escalation of hostilities between the Fulani herders and the local vigilante groups.
“The deputy governor assured residents that justice would be done and appealed for calm,”
one local leader told reporters.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed that a report had not yet reached his office but promised to provide updates.
“I am yet to receive the full report on the incident,”
he said.
“However, we are making efforts to verify the situation and will share details later.”
The reprisal attack in Kebbi adds to the rising number of communal clashes and bandit-related violencein the North-West, raising renewed concern about security lapses and ethnic tensions in rural communities.
