6 killed in fresh herder violence in Nigeria's Taraba

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Six people were killed in fresh hostilities between herders and farmers in northeast Taraba state this week, police said Wednesday.

Police spokesman David Misal told Anadolu Agency the attacks occurred in Murbai, Kisbap, Sembe and Yawai-Abbare villages of Ardo-Kola and Jalingo local government areas sometime between late Monday and Tuesday.

"Our men who have deployed in the area learnt one person died Monday night when the attack first occurred and another five died later on Tuesday evening," he said.

Other victims sustained gunshot injuries, he said.

Residents said casualties toll was up to 11, according to the Punch newspaper.

Hundreds have been displaced from the affected areas.

The crisis in Nigeria's agrarian belt is traced to ethnic rivalry, a struggle for scarce land resources between farmers and herders and politics.