Armed herdsmen have reportedly killed nine Tiv farmers in a deadly attack carried out across three communities in Nasarawa State, broadcaster TVC reports.

The incident occurred during the wee hours of Saturday at Ajikama, Gidan Rail and Ankoma villages in Doma Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The settlements where the separate attacks occurred is a border town with Benue where predominantly Tiv farmers reside and cultivate crops.

The gun-wielding men invaded the villages around 2:00 a.m. while chanting war songs after which they fatally shot nine persons and razed houses, according to TVC.

It was gathered that most of the victims where sleeping when their homes was besieged by the gunmen.

The identity of the deceased were disclosed as; Tsekaa Chiatyo, Kwaghdoo Tsekaa, Sewuese Tsekaa, Bobo Chiatyo, Aondosee Fidelis, Aboy, Igba Aduku, Iwuesi and Aseer.

The state’s police command spokesman, Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the incident to Peoples Gazette when contacted Saturday evening by phone.

Mr Nansel told The Gazette that the information is still sketchy but operatives have been deployed to the axis when they received the report.

“We are still trying to unravel the report. We have deployed our men to the areas and they have not gotten back to us due to the epileptic nature of mobile network in the place. We got the report but the information is still sketchy,” the police said.

Armed Fulani herdsmen have repeatedly launched deadly attacks across communities in the Benue basin and neighbouring Nasarawa State. Many residents have been killed as a result over the years.

Benue has been the epicentre of deadly clashes between herdsmen and farmers even as state governor Samuel Ortom enacted anti-open grazing laws to protect farmers in the predominantly agrarian state. 
Nomadic Fulani herders have however continued to push forcefully against the law claiming it negates their freedom of movement across Nigeria. The governor has been severally threatened and even suffered an attack recently on his farm. An attack a faceless Fulani group claimed responsibility for.

The activities of the marauding gunmen has also sacked most residents from their homes as they deprived them of their means of livelihood.