NO fewer than 22 persons, including women and children were feared killed when suspected Fulani herdsmen in the early hours of Monday, attacked nine communities in Dekina Local Council of Kogi State.

The rampaging herdsmen were said to have gone on a killing spree across the rural communities where scores more are still missing.

Concerned members of the affected communities led by Mr. Usman Ibrahim, who spoke to reporters at the National Assembly complex, stated that their people have been chased away from their ancestral lands by the herdsmen.

The affected communities are: Agojeju, Ikpoba, Ojeh, Ajomojayi, Ajadaji, Idochi, Ojiyanawo, Ulaja and Oganenigu.

Calling on the authorities to come to their rescue, Ibrahim said: “We are all in great distress and do not know what else to do.

As we speak, our fathers, grandfathers, parents and loved ones have been killed or chased away from their ancestral homes where they have lived for over 200 years.

“In the early hours of Monday, our peaceful communities were invaded by heavily armed Fulani herdsmen who killed and maimed so many of us.

As at today, 22 people have been confirmed dead with several others either injured or missing. Right now, we are refugees in our own land.”

Asked if there has been any response or intervention from the state government, the visibly distressed Ibrahim, who is also a Committee Clerk in the National Assembly, said the response from the state government has so far been of little or no significant effect.