Nigeria, Jan. 31 -- At least two farmers were killed on Thursday in Poto, a village in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, after a long-running land dispute with neighbouring Ketso village escalated into violence, residents and community leaders have said.

According to Sahara Reporters, the victims were identified as Mohammed Kudu, 42, and Manko Ibrahim, 41, both indigenes of Poto who were engaged in farming activities at the time of the attack.

Residents said tensions flared around 2 p.m. when Usman Manko was allegedly assaulted by youths from Ketso village at a pedestrian bridge in the Gudzan-Poto axis while returning from Enagi, the headquarters of Edati Local Government Area.

Witnesses said the attackers threatened that...