Reprisal Attack by Fulani Herdsmen Leaves Yobe Villages in Ruins

Emmanuel EjioforFebruary 14, 20241 Mins read288

Yobe State is located in Northeastern Nigeria. Photo Source: MNCH2

Two villages in Yobe State, Gurjaje and Malari, were attacked by Fulani herdsmen on Monday, February 12, leaving the communities in ruins.

The two villages, located in Fika Local Government Area, were demolished by the attackers, although no casualty was recorded.

According to reports, the attack was in retaliation to an earlier conflict involving the local villagers and the herdsmen. The dispute began after the villagers reportedly resisted the intrusion of their watermelon farms by cattle owned by the Fulani herdsmen.

Security analyst and counter insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, reported on X that the herdsmen invaded the villages with motorcycles, armed with bows, arrows, and machetes, and set fire to many homes.

The exact number of victims is yet to be ascertained.

The dispute reportedly began in January when the cattle entered and destroyed the watermelon farms of villagers. The herdsmen, claiming that their cattle were stolen by the villagers, decided to take revenge.

Makama learnt that the invading herdsmen stormed the communities on motorcycles with most of them carrying bows and arrows as well as marchets.

Though casualties are still uncertain, the… pic.twitter.com/ZSsuBzMn3N

— Zagazola (@ZagazOlaMakama) February 13, 2024