A clash between Fulani and vigilantes at the Beji weekly market in the Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State left two persons dead, while seven others are currently receiving treatment at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Beji.
A source said the incident occurred around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, when the market was at its full capacity.
Beji is an agrarian community with a national livestock and grain market about 30 km from Minna, the capital of Niger State.
The Assistant Head of Medical Services at Beji Primary Healthcare Centre, Aliyu Yusuf, confirmed that nine victims were brought to the hospital with various degrees of bullet wounds.
He explained, “Two were confirmed dead, while the remaining seven victims, all Fulani, were responding to treatment.”
Umar Rabe Sands, the Niger State Commissioner for Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs, also confirmed the incident, warning against any form of revenge.
He added that the state government would engage all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the rift between Fulani and Gbagyi farmers.
He also cautioned both parties to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, emphasizing that there are various mechanisms for dispute resolution without resorting to violence to ensure continuous peaceful coexistence among the people.
