Nine farmers shot dead in Nasarawa

Nine farmers in Ajimaka community, a Tiv settlement in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, have been killed.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday.

Those massacred in Doma were Tsekaa Chiatyo, Kwaghdoo Tsekaa, Sewiesi Tsekaa Bobo Chiatyo, Aondosee Fidelis Aboy, Igba Aduku, and Iwuesi Aseer.

It was gathered that the gunmen stormed the community at exactly 2am on Saturday, shooting sporadically into the air and chanting war songs.

President, Tiv Development Association (TIDA) in Nasarawa state, Comrade Peter Ahemba, who confirmed the incident, described it as unfortunate.

He regretted that the attacks on Tiv people of the state, particularly those living at the border areas between Benue and Nasarawa states, have become a recurrent decimal despite efforts by the Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule and his Benue counterpart, Dr. Samuel Ortom, to ensure lasting peace.

He said: “Each time herdsmen have issues relating to implementation of the anti-open grazing law by the Benue state government, they come and attack our (Tiv) people in Nasarawa state.”

“We are indigenous Tiv people of Nasarawa state. We are peace-loving people and the herdsmen must stop attacking our people for things they know nothing about,” he said.

He, however, expressed that the ugly development led to the displacement of thousands of Tiv farmers in the area.

When contacted the Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Rahman Nansel, said the command is yet to get the report.

He said: “The command is yet to get the report but as soon as I get the details from our personnel in Doma I will get back to you.”