Heightened Tension in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Niger Following the Nasarawa 20

Following the aftermath of the Thursday massacre of the Fulani Herdsmen in Nasarawa state, heightened tensions has griped the surrounding states of Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Niger.

The alleged killing of at least twenty Fulani herdsmen at a funeral in a settlement near Keana, Nasarawa State, has caused panic in the state and neighbouring states.

The reports has it that 20 people were killed by the soldiers that invaded the Islamic funeral rite but that the death toll rose to 25 as at yesterday after six more victims died following the wounds sustained in the attack. It was gathered that the six additional victims died in hospitals in Keana and Lafia .

Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Sale Bayari, confirmed that 18 of the dead Fulani victims have been buried at a settlement along Giza road, Gidan Ardo Sodangi axis in the Keana Local Government Area of the state.


The association which lodged a complaint with the Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau, on the killings to prevail on government to check the rampaging soldiers, named 15 of the victims.

The Nigerian Military Authorities say they have not received any report of killings by its troops operating in Nasarawa state. According to the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, no credible report had been received on the incident as alleged.

Olukolade promises that the Army authorities will embark on necessary investigation to ascertain if soldiers were the one that actually carry out such cruel killings in Nasarawa state

Fulani Leader in the area while confirming the death of twenty fife hersmen, said many are still currently missing and many houses were equally burnt. He said, “So far, we have lost about 25 herdsmen apart from those who are missing. What we experienced was real massacre because some of our innocent herdsmen were mauled down while grazing with cattle and we have reached out to the Defence Minister to help prevail on the government to check these soldiers."

Meanwhile, Gov. Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has demanded the review of military operations in the state following Thursday’s killing of herdsmen in Keana Local Government Area. He made the call during a condolence visit to the affected village where scores of Fulani herdsmen were attack during a burial ceremony.

The Governor disagreed the the people of the said settlement could't have been insurgent, describing the killing as a out of place by the rampaging soldiers and promises take the matter up at the appropriate level to ensure justice.