Renewed crisis between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Otukpa Local Government Area of Benue State has led to the death of three persons, Punch reports.

According to the newspaper, the crisis started late Wednesday night and ended on Thursday morning.

The crisis reportedly started when cows strayed into people’s farms and destroyed their crops.

The farmers were said to have mobilised themselves and chased away the herdsmen and their cows.

“The problem started around 4.00pm when cows strayed into the farmlands at the time farmers were still working in their farms. This infuriated the farmers and they chased away the cattle and the herdsmen.

“This is not the first time the Fulani herdsmen have been attacking us here, and our livelihood is farming. For the cattle to have gone and destroyed our farmlands, the youths had to mobilise themselves and joined the farmers to resist the attack.

“As at this morning (Thursday), three persons have been killed. Among them were two young men from this village and one Fulani man.”

The traditional ruler of Otukpa, HRH Solomon Ekele confirmed the death of three persons.

Former Minister of State for Education who hails from the local government, Prof. Jerry Agada also condemned the attack.

“Our people have been living with herdsmen for a long time, even we have inter-married and any time you interact with the Fulani in our community, they tell us that they are indigenes of the place. But that does not foreclose occasional attacks on my people,” he said.

Azeez