Militiamen kill, injure and abduct farmers in South Darfur

Militiamen reportedly killed a man, injured others and abducted three people in two separate incidents in the locality of Gereida in South Darfur. A relative of the deceased reported to Radio Dabanga that on Thursday “government-backed militiamen on camels and horses” wanted to graze their camels and cattle by force on farmlands in the area of Sagur, south of Gereida town. When the farmers protested, they opened fire, killing Abdallah Ismail Abdallah (known as Abu Zahra) on the spot. Others were injured. They were transferred to the Nyala hospital for treatment. The militiamen robbed the farmers of their money and their farming tools. The witness said that on Wednesday at about 1pm a group of militiamen in a Land Cruiser opened fire on a group of citizens tending their farms. Five people were injured. The militiamen left, taking three farmers with them. The source noted that they reported the incident to the Commissioner of the locality. But he apologised, saying that he does not have the power to prosecute the perpetrators. Omar Mohammed Ibrahim, member of the Legislative Council of South Darfur state and responsible for Gereida locality has requested the state authorities to immediately intervene to resolve the security problems in the locality. File photo by Albert González Farran / Unamid Related:One killed, another injured as militiamen attack lorry in South Darfur (22 October 2013)Militiamen block roads near South Darfur capital; at least five villagers shot (1 October 2013)