Nigeria confirms 'scores killed' in ethnic clashes

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Dozens of people were killed in a fresh wave of violence between herdspeople and farmers in the northeastern Adamawa state, Nigeria’s vice president Yemi Osinbajo said late Tuesday.

Following the weekend violence, of which victims had included riot police officers, Osinbajo visited the region where he said the government would crack down on those responsible for the latest killings.

“The clashes claimed scores of lives and injured many others, as the attackers destroyed houses in the affected villages,” said Osinbajo, according to a statement from his office.

“This is the time to come together to make progress as a people. There is no reason why we should allow so much poverty, and what we are doing is fighting, killing each other. Our role should be to provide security, to provide resources for people so that everyone can enjoy their lives as citizens of this country."

Numan, a community in Adamawa comprising of ethnic Fulani (herdspeople) and Bachama (farmers) tribes, has been continuously gripped by tension. The violence began a few weeks ago after at least 30 Fulani women and children were massacred, allegedly by Bachama militiamen.

Local media then reported that Fulani groups had retaliated, killing several Bachama villagers.

On Dec. 1, Adamawa policy spokesman Othman Abubakar told Anadolu Agency that four riot police officers were killed as they searched for ammunition reportedly stockpiled in the Fulani community. A local Fulani umbrella body claimed the security operatives had previously killed some of their men during a raid.