10 killed in fresh Fulani-Kamuku clash in Niger State — this cycle must end

At least 10 people have been killed and several houses burnt down in a renewed clash between Fulani and Kamuku communities in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State. The violence happened on Tuesday in Mararraban Gwadaro and Tashan Bako villages. Residents say it is a reprisal for an earlier confrontation a few weeks ago that left one person dead.

Chairman of Rafi Local Government Area, Ayuba Usman Katako, confirmed the incident and said investigations have started to identify and prosecute those responsible. He did not give an exact casualty figure but stated that no responsible government would stand by while innocent citizens are being killed. Security personnel have been deployed to the affected communities.

This is the kind of news that makes you wonder how many more lives will be lost before we find a lasting solution. Women and children are the ones who suffer most in these cycles of revenge. What will it take for the government to address the root causes of these communal clashes permanently?