No fewer than nine persons have been killed in Kaduna and Benue states by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

In in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, two persons were killed in an attack by suspected herdsmen in the early hours of Tuesday at Ninte village.

The Chairman, Interim Management Committee of the council, Mr Bege Katukah, told newsmen that two persons lost their lives while properties, including houses were burnt during the attack.

Katukah said although most of the villagers had deserted the village to neighbouring Zankan village for safety, security personnel had been deployed and the affected area combed.

He assured the people that government would not relent in its effort toward combating such ugly acts, adding “we will ensure that lives and property are secured as it is government's primary responsibility.”

The chairman urged youths in the area not to take laws into their hands and condemn any form of reprisal attack.

NAN reports that the villagers including women and children in their numbers could be sighted leaving to neighbouring villages with their belongings for safety of their lives.

In a related development, gunmen suspected to be Fulani herders, Monday invaded Tse Aondo and Tse Ankou communities in Benue State, allegedly killing seven persons.

Anti-riot policemen reportedly stormed the scene, following a distress call, but the armed men were said to have fled the villages on their arrival. Two expended shells of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered from the scene by the police.

The attack was suspected to be a reprisal over an unidentified herdsman said to be missing after he visited Gbeji market within the communities on May 8. However, security sources said the incident had no link with the man’s disappearance.

Residents of the two communities have fled their homes for fear of further attacks. However, the State police command said it was on top of the situation as its Criminal Investigation Department has commenced probe of the incident.

Spokesman for the command, ASP Moses Yamu, could not be reached for comments as at the time of filing this report but a senior officer, who pleaded anonymity confirmed the attack.

•Pieced together from NAN and Daily Sun stories. Photo shows armed herdsmen.

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