After a confrontation between Fulani herders and vigilantes at the Beji weekly Market in the Bosso LGA of Niger State, two people have been officially declared dead and seven more are undergoing treatment at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Beji.
Locals reported that the event occurred on Wednesday at approximately 5 p.m., when the Market was completely packed.
About 30 kilometres separate Beji, an agricultural hamlet with a national livestock and grain market, from Minna, the capital of Niger State.
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According to Aliyu Yusuf, the assistant head of medical services at Beji Primary Healthcare Centre, nine victims with varying degrees of gunshot wounds were brought to the hospital.
According to him, seven victims—all Fulani—were responding to therapy, while two had been declared dead.
In addition to confirming the occurrence, Umar Rabe Sands, the Niger State Commissioner for Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs, cautioned against taking retribution and promised that the state administration will work with all parties involved to find a long-term solution to the conflict between Fulani and Gbagyi farmers.
Additionally, he cautioned both sides against enacting laws on their own, pointing out that there are other peaceful methods of resolving disputes.
Abdullahi Mu’azu, Vice President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Zone B, stated that the confrontation on Wednesday caused disruptions to the market’s operations and urged the authorities to step in to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
