At least ten people have been reportedly killed in a fresh reprisal attack on a Fulani settlement in Tilli community, Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State, following the alleged murder of a vigilante member in the area.
According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants invaded the Fulani settlement in the early hours of Sunday, unleashing violence believed to be a revenge mission for the slain vigilante. “They thought the Fulani were behind the killing of the vigilante man. They attacked them in their settlement. Over 10 of them were killed,” a resident said.
The deadly incident has thrown the quiet agrarian community into mourning, prompting swift intervention from top government officials and community leaders. The Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, led a government delegation to the affected community to commiserate with the victims’ families and assess the level of damage.
Also in attendance was the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), who appealed for calm and urged residents to shun further violence. MACBAN leaders described the killings as unfortunate and called for justice, peace, and restraint from both sides to prevent escalation.
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Police Command has yet to release an official statement on the incident. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, said he was not aware of the development but promised to make inquiries and provide updates.
The Tilli attack is the latest in a series of violent reprisals linked to tensions between vigilante groups and Fulani herders across parts of North-West Nigeria. Security experts have warned that such recurring attacks could further destabilize rural communities if not swiftly addressed through dialogue, justice, and improved security presence.
Local sources say the situation remains tense as security operatives have been deployed to forestall further violence. Community leaders have also begun peace talks aimed at restoring normalcy to the troubled area.
Efforts to reach the Kebbi State Commissioner of Police for further comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.