Gunmen on Sunday attacked Lafagu village in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State and beheaded the village head.
The Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the killing but did not disclose the identity of the deceased traditional ruler.
Usman said some arrests had been made in connection with the incident.
“Yes, it’s true the village head was killed in Lafagu under Bagudo Local Government, but we have made some arrests in respect of the incident and we would provide details later,” he said in a text message to journalists.
However, residents gave conflicting accounts over the identity of the attackers.
While police described them as gunmen, locals said they were uncertain whether the perpetrators were bandits, Lakurawa fighters or members of an armed ethnic militia.
A resident, Tukur Abubakar Kaoje, said Fulani, Kambarawa and Bargawa communities had co-existed in the area for decades, but tensions escalated in recent months following alleged infiltration by Lakurawa fighters accused of cattle rustling and kidnapping.
Kaoje alleged that some members of the Bargawa and Kambarawa communities subsequently formed an armed group which has been targeting Fulani residents over allegations of complicity in the crimes.
He claimed the militia recently invaded Boya village where several Fulani residents were killed.
“Yes, the village head was beheaded in Lafagu, but we are not sure the killers are bandits or Lakurawa. It was allegedly carried out by the armed ethnic militia,” he said.
He described the atmosphere in Lafagu and surrounding communities in Bagudo as tense and warned that failure to urgently intervene could lead to further escalation.
Police said investigation was ongoing.
