Three injured as farmers, herders clash in Abuja community

No fewer than three persons were injured in a bloody clash between farmers and herders at Iddo , a community in the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja , on Monday .
Many thatched houses were also set ablaze when locals resisted the Fulani herdsmen who allegedly grazed livestock on their farms .

Confirming the incident , the FCT police spokesperson , ASP Mariam Yusuf , said operatives had restored calm, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Ali Ciroma had also held peace talks with the community leaders to forestall a recurrence of the violence.

It stated, “ The FCT Police Command has successfully restored calm along Iddo axis , following a farmers – herders clash that broke out between locals residing in a settlement within Iddo on Monday .

“ The unfortunate clash left three persons with various degrees of injuries while some thatched houses were set ablaze within the area. The Commissioner of Police FCT , Bala Ciroma has ordered a discreet investigation into the incident. ”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has condemned the reported killing of some commuters on Sunday at Gidan Busa, close to the end of the Abuja – Kaduna expressway by suspected kidnappers .

Scores of people were also said to have been wounded while many were abducted by the hoodlums who allegedly intercepted and attacked over 20 vehicles .

The congress in a statement by its president , Ayuba Wabba , described the attack as one too many, and the most horrific , stressing that it represented the height of impunity and lawlessness.

The statement titled, ‘ Halt the highway massacre, ’ read in part, “ We are afraid to state that our security agents have not done enough to contain the surge of violence on that road.

“ In the past couple of weeks alone , we have recorded multiple attacks in and around the same spot qualifying it to be designated a dark spot. We also need more intelligence as reaction almost always comes after damage has been done .

“ We do need mobile recce on a sustainable basis instead of the present ad – hoc arrangement . Last but not the least , what has happened to the highway safe houses of yore?”

The union further called on the security agents to rise to the renewed challenges of internal security.