By Danlami Nmodu
The growing conflict between Fulani herdsmen and Communities in Kupa area of Lokoja Local Government of Kogi State got to a tragic high on Tuesday .Reports reaching Newsdiaryonline said Fulani herdsmen attacked Miza town and several people were killed.
The Fulani were also said to have burnt rice farms of the people of Miza before launching an attack on the community.
Unofficial accounts said at least 5 Fulani were killed while one person from Mizal lost his life after what was described as a fierce battle between the Fulanis and the local vigilante fighters in Miza.
More reports later in the evening said a young Kupa man (names withheld ) was attacked by Fulani herdsmen in his farm at Gbeduma near Miza.The man was said to have gone to his farm and was macheted by the Fulani.He died on his way to the hospital
Newsdiaryonline can confirm that several villagers-men ,women ,children and all have been fleeing their homes in Kupa.Most have crossed the River Niger to towns in Niger State.Some were said to have gone to Lokoja to seek refuge with relatives .”I left home in the evening on Monday as we could not bear the growing reports of impending attacks.And we left with our children and children of neighbours too”,one of those who fled to Niger State said Tuesday night.One of them said they are in urgent need of assistance.
Unconfirmed reports said even a prominent traditional ruler in Kupa is believed to have fled his palace as the crisis between his people and Fulani herdsmen escalates.Newsdiaryonline could not immediately confirm his exact location as at the time of filing this report.
Recently,Fulani herdsmen burnt some houses in Abugi in Kupa in a daring attack.About 5 people were said to have been killed in that initial attacks .There have been other unspecified number of killings before the latest attack on Miza.
Several people who spoke with our correspondent appealed for urgent intervention by Governor Idris Wada who they say should ensure deployment of security personnel –soldiers ,policemen and possibly aerial surveillance by the Air Force -to Kupa to avert further loss of lives.
The Kupa Community Association has been calling for financial assistance to the refugees.Tuesday’s attack on Miza is likely to worsen the refugee situation as it sent further shock waves across the towns and villages in Kupa land.
