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KEBBI- Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, visited Mera village in the Augie Local Government Area to offer condolences following the November 8 attack by suspected members of the new terror group, Lakurawa.
The attack resulted in the death of at least 17 people in the village.
In response, some individuals mobilized and attacked a Fulani community living in the surrounding villages.
During his visit on Tuesday, the governor warned against reprisals, emphasizing that his administration would not tolerate any acts of lawlessness and that no one would be permitted to take the law into their own hands, as this would be contrary to the principles of justice.
“This reprisal leads to death of children, women and the aged persons. Even during the war, the international law prohibits killing of children, women and the aged persons,” the governor said.
Idris promised that security of lives and property would remain one of the topmost priorities of his administration and also promised that more patrol vehicles would be purchased for the security agencies deployed to the state.
“We will do that to boost the morale of the security agencies and beef up the security situation across the state,” he noted.
Addressing the affected Fulani community at the palace of District Head of Augie, Alhaji Samaila Lamnen-Augie, the governor said: “The government will not allow any person or group to take the law into their hands.
“The government will ensure that those who perpetrate this reprisals are brought to book. It is sad that some of these people also used the opportunity to steal the property of their victims.”
The governor assured the Fulani community of protection, adding that they were also citizens of Nigeria, hence, the need to ensure protection of their lives and property.
Governor Idris donated the sum of N10m to the Fulani community, while pledging that more relief materials would be channelled to them to cushion the effects of the attack.
Speaking on behalf of the Fulani community, one of the victims, Rugga Hore-Mera, recalled that three members of his family were killed aside others responding to treatment in the hospital.
He said during the attack, 183 huts were burnt to ashes, in addition to farm produce and other belongings.
Hore-Mera claimed he and his people were not responsible for the Mera Friday attack, stating he was also a victim of the gunmen last year, who stole over 80 of his cows.
