Fulani Herdsmen Burn Down Miza Town In Kogi

Reports from Miza in Kupaland of Lokoja Local Government of Kogi State said Fulani herdsmen have burned down the entire town .
Eyewitnesses said a large  number of Fulani herdsmen   attacked  the town  Saturday morning in what was a surprise  raid ,taking the residents unawares .
It was not immediately clear if anybody was killed .But It was also  learnt that most residents of the town had fled after an initial attack on the town  by the herdsmen.
“Many people had left. But our people left behind called  early this morning to say about 1000 Fulani  were coming towards Miza. And given their large number, our people  left behind  in the town were advised to  avoid engaging the Fulani in fighting .The Fulani’s then proceeded to burn down the entire town”, a source said .

The number of Fulani herdsmen who launched the latest  attack, several sources said the town has  indeed been burnt down.
Some believe  it was a reprisal attack. Earlier in the week, Fulanis attacked the town  but the vigilantes in Miza repelled them killing at least 5 Fulanis. One person from Miza and another from Gbeduma were killed .Other reports said many more lives were actually lost in that attack.
“ Today’s attack on Miza, burning down entire town  is unprecedented in the history of the peace loving people of Kupaland” ,an elder who did not want to be named said.
Many people had  fled  from their towns and villages  and most of  are living as refugees in Niger state.Some have gone to join their relatives in Lokoja and Minna, and other towns in neighboring states.
Sources said the latest attack was surprising because  it came hours after  the police authorities held a meeting  in Lokoja with representatives of Kupa and Fulani people  urging them to embark on a  ceasefire.
The crisis with Fulani began in Abugi  recently.At a point herdsmen burnt some  houses in broad daylight  in Abugi  much to the surprise and horror  of  all.
Unconfirmed reports also said Fulani herdsmen burnt some houses in Agini ,another town  in Kupa also within the week .
“These attacks call for a comprehensive intervention from government.We are calling on the State and Federal governments to urgently come to the aide of Kupa people.Our people are  fleeing their villages.They are at the mercy of Fulani herdsmen now..Help us tell  government to come  and save our people”,one of the leaders  said under condition of anonymity.