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Tag: Attacks

  • Only five of 23 LGAs in Benue free from attacks by herdsmen — Ortom

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue, said on Monday that only five of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state were free from attacks by herdsmen.

    Ortom stated this during his first official interaction with newsmen since he returned from his vacation from the People’s Republic of China two days ago.

    He regretted the continued onslaught against the state by the killer- herdsmen and called for vigilance from the people.

    He, however, assured that President Muhammadu Buhari, was working round the clock with his security chiefs to end the attacks.

    According to him, the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) would soon visit the state to address some of the challenges and assured that “very soon they would become a thing of the past”.

    He said the transfer of his security aides was also cancelled and explained that all political leaders in the country had the right to chose their security details.

    Ortom also condemned the burning down of over 300 houses by the Nigerian Army in Naka as well as the killing of a soldier by hoodlums in the area.

    He said neither the killing of the soldier nor the arson that followed the killing could be justified in law.

    He, however, disclosed that the five suspects linked to the soldiers death were handed over to the police and wondered why the soldiers still went on to burn houses.

    Ortom said the arrested people were nabbed by the Gwer West Council chairman and traditional rulers.

    According to him, the action of the council chairman and traditional rulers underscored heir disgust at the unlawful behavior of killing the soldier by taking the laws into their hands.

    ”This is a clear demonstration that they were not in support of the killing of the soldier,” he said.

    He said that he had reported the invasion of Naka town by soldiers to the Army chief, who promised to deal decisively with any Army personnel who would be found culpable.

    He disclosed that until the report of the COAS was out and the outcome made public, the state government would have nothing to do.

    He warned against reprisals no matter the level of provocation.

    ”Reprisal of any kind will not be accepted by my government and bloodshed should not take place in the state no matter the situation.

    ”When you allow lawlessness to prevail, you are calling for anarchy and when anarchy is allowed to prevail it will unleash a lot of havoc in the society,” he said.

    He promised not to interfere in the prosecution of his Livestock Guards Commander, Alhaji Aliyu Tershaku, who is under military detention for acts connected to the Book Haram terror group as well as recent killings in the state.

    ”I have never intervened in the arrest and prosecution of any of my appointees who is suspected to have committed murder and in Tershaku’s case too I will not be different. I will allow law enforcement agencies to do their work,” he said.

  • Police debunks rumours of attacks on churches, mosques in Benue

    The Benue State Police Command has described rumours of attacks on four mosques and another invasion of a church as deliberate falsehood.

    The state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, said nothing of such happened in the state, adding that such rumours could cause breakdown of law and order.

    Urging the public to disregard the information, Owoseni acknowledged that it was a difficult period for people of the state and Nigerians generally because of violent attacks in different parts of the country.

    This was revealed in a statement released on Thursday by the Benue State Police Command.

    Read full statement below:

    PRESS RELEASE

    The Benue State Police Command would like to advise the general public to disregard the information being circulated that four (4) mosque(s) were set ablaze in Makurdi by some hoodlums. Similar information is being circulated that another Church was attacked by bandits at Agana Village in Mbaloh Ward of Gwer East Local Government Area of the State.

    1. These are nothing but falsehood, believably meant to cause break down of law and order in the State.
    2. It is indeed a difficult period. However, acts of insurgency being witnessed lately have nothing to do with religion, ethnic or political alienation. Therefore, in order to overcome the ongoing security challenges, the collaboration of all is required.
    3. The Command appreciate the calmness and understanding of the good people of the State. We appeal that criminal elements should not be allowed to cause any civil disturbance to achieve their selfish interest.
    4. All suspicious person or group of persons should be reported to the Police through telephone Nos 07058344757 or 08066006475.

    If you see something, please say something.

     

    The Nigeria Police Force

    Benue State Command

    26/04/2018

  • Nigeria may face acute food shortage over incessant herdsmen attacks – Soyinka

    Nigeria may face acute food shortage over incessant herdsmen attacks – Soyinka

    Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka on Friday expressed grave concern over the continued displacement of the nation’s farming population in various parts of the country by rampaging violent herdsmen.

    Soyinka warned that if nothing was done urgently to stem the tide of killings and sacking of farmers by herdsmen, the dark cloud of violence could plunge the country into a major food crisis.

    The renowned playwright and author of Kongi harvest, who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during a conference session on African Drum Festival, said a period like the on – going drum festival, demands a moment of sober reflection on the onslaught by herdsmen against the primary producers of food in the country.

    Soyinka who is the consultant for this year’s African Drum festival, however, added that the appalling situation should not be allowed to completely dampen the spirit of creativity.

    He called for the immediate restoration of displaced farmers to their traditional base, as a first step towards ensuring that this country is good habitation for people .

    In his address, Governor Ibikunle Amosun observed that the intellectual angle to the festival was an innovation powered by Soyinka thanking him for putting the event together.

     

  • Over 54 killed, 7000 displaced in Zamfara attacks – NEMA

    Over 54 killed, 7000 displaced in Zamfara attacks – NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday confirmed that 54 persons were killed by suspected cattle rustlers in Bawar Daji District, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara state last week Wednesday.

    The agency also confirmed that a woman and her child were among those who lost their lives during the attacks.

    The agency which disclosed this based on-the-spot assessment conducted by staff recorded 71 persons injured with over 7000 displaced persons.

    NEMA said the attacks affected places like Baudi, Tungan Turkish, Doka, Zanoka, Akuzo and Dogon Ruwa.

    “About 30 houses and other essential commodities were razed, also 1000 cattle were carted away by men of the underworld,” the agency said.

    The head, Nema Sokoto Operations, Suleiman Muhammad, who led other staff of the agency on the assessment said government delegations sent to the area had to suspend their visit due to security challenges.

    Displaced persons, mostly women and children, are currently taking refuge in neighbouring Hayin Dan Bawa, Anka and Gusau, capital of Zamfara.

    The agency is expected to prepare a comprehensive report to be forwarded to the federal government for necessary action.

    Recall that the armed bandits had last week attacked Bawar Daji in Anka Local Government Area, killing over 32 persons.

    Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar, alongside security chiefs and members of the State Executive Council on Friday visited Emir of Anka over the killings.

    Governor Yari during the condolence visit to the Emir directed the security agencies to shoot anybody found with arms ”in the bush”.

    The governor said the laws of the country allow only security personnel to carry arms.

    “It is criminal for any person who is not a security personnel to carry arms, therefore I have ordered the security agencies in the state to shoot at sight any person who carries AK 47 or any other weapons in the bush, be Fulani, Hausa or any tribe.

    “The bandits have wasted too much of lives in the state and therefore they too do not deserve to be alive,” he said.

     

  • Again, herdsmen kill five in renewed attacks in Benue

    Again, herdsmen kill five in renewed attacks in Benue

    Suspected Fulani herdsmen have again killed five people in a renewed attack in different parts of Benue State.

    Four persons were reportedly killed by herdsmen at the Guma and Agatu local government areas of the state on Sunday, while one herdsman was reported killed at Lower Benue, a suburb of Makurdi, on Saturday.

    The incident in the Agatu LGA was said to have happened at Olegobiudu where two persons were said to have been killed with one of the victims said to have been beheaded.

    A native of the community in Agatu said that the incident happened on Sunday when about seven boys in the area went to have a bath in the community stream.

    The native added that the little children who were aged between 10 and 15 years were ambushed by the herders who shot at them and killed two of them.

    “The children, whose ages were between 10 and 15 years, had as usual gone to the stream in the community when they were attacked by herdsmen.

    “Some of the children rushed home to tell the people of the invasion by the herdsmen and by the time we got to the stream, the herdsmen had fled but we met the lifeless bodies of the kids. The head of one of them was cut off.”

    The incident in Guma was said to have occurred at Tse Samaka when herdsmen attacked and killed two of those who braced the odd to visit their homes.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Fatai Owoseni, confirmed the killings during a meeting he had with the leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.

    Owoseni said, “We had an incident just yesterday (Sunday); two persons were killed in Agatu but we have responded swiftly to douse tension, we are working closely with other security agencies to ensure the crisis does not escalate.

    “Also, some bandits have killed two persons in the Guma area on Sunday which makes us to reinforce in the area.

    “Also, we have this report at Lower Benue here where a herdsman was killed.

     

  • Attacks: Kogi places N5m bounty on assailants

    Attacks: Kogi places N5m bounty on assailants

    The Kogi Government has offered a N5 million reward for any information that can lead to the arrest of the assailants behind the recent bloody attacks on some communities in the state.

    The government in a statement in Lokoja on Wednesday said that the offer was to ensure that the perpetrators were apprehended and made to face justice for the dastardly acts.

    Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Director -General, Media and Publicity to the Governor, signed the statement.

    “ Intelligence reports showed that the attackers at Agbenema on the afternoon of Monday, 19th March, 2018 appeared to be the same group which attacked Ojuwo Ajamàgbe, near Oganenigu in Dekina Local Government Area five days earlier.

    ” Kogi State Government and the security services are sparing neither expense nor effort to track down these murderers and ensure justice is served.

    “ The government is immensely saddened by the attack on Agbenema, a peaceful community in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State by mercenaries reportedly working for herdsmen in the area,”Fanwo said.

    He said three people, including the traditional ruler of Agbenema, Onu Musa Edibo, were killed during the attack.

    Fanwo said other persons injured in the attack are responding to treatment in hospitals.

    He dismissed the report that the wife of the traditional ruler was among those killed.

    Fanwo, however, reiterated government ’s commitment to the security of lives and property of residents irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation.

  • Police confirm five dead in fresh Mambilla Plateau attacks

    The Taraba State Police Command have confirmed that five people were killed and several others injured in fresh attacks on communities in Sardauna local government area of the state.

    The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), David Misal, told the newsmen on Saturday that the crisis erupted in Nyiwa and Yerimaru areas on Thursday as a result of a misunderstanding between a farmer and a herder.

    He said units of mobile policemen and soldiers from the 20 battalion in Serti have been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.

    Mr. Misal added that the situation, which led to the burning of several homes and killing of many cows, has been brought under control.

    A victim of the attack, Abubakar Ardo, who escaped with his family, told NAN in Gembu that the attacks started at midday on Thursday and most of the killings occurred in the night.

    He said almost all houses in about 15 Fulani communities were torched by the assailants.

    Mr. Ardo said the timely arrival of soldiers and police prevented further killings and destruction of property.

    He said about 15 people were killed during the violence on Thursday evening, adding that five of those killed were buried in Gembu on Friday.

    Mr. Ardo also confirmed that security personnel have been drafted to the trouble areas leading to restoration of peace.

    He called on the state government and security agencies to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others.

  • Photos: Gunmen kill 36 in Zamfara village

    Thirty six people killed by gunmen in Birane Village in Zurmi Local Council of Zamfara State on Wednesday have been buried, amidst outrage in the social media that the tragedy was being downplayed and that there has been no official reaction.

    However, the Police Command in Zamfara admitted that 18 persons died in the attack, which appears to be a reprisal against the villagers for intercepting a suspected cattle rustler.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Muhammad Shehu, said on Feb. 13, hunters from Birani village of Zurmi local government area intercepted and accosted a herder in the bush with some suspected stolen cattle and sheep.

    “The herder abandoned the animals and escaped into the bush, but unknown to the hunters, the cattle rustler went to Isah Local Government Area of Sokoto State and mobilised bandits to attack the hunters.

    “On Feb. 14, the bandits ambushed the hunters in the bush and there was a clash that led to fatalities on both sides.

    “Police/Military and other sister agencies reacted by combing the bush and it’s environs to salvage the situation and discovered 18 dead bodies.

    “It is believed that the bandits took away their own members that were killed. Meanwhile, bush combing is in progress so as to further profile the area.

    “Mobile policemen/Special forces and other security personnel from other sister security agencies have already been deployed to the area to restore peace and stability,” he said.

    The spokesman also said that the command’s Intelligence Unit had already embarked on investigation to arrest the perpetrators of the attack.

    There were comments on social media about the latest tragedy to befall the state, North west of Nigeria.

  • Herdsmen: ‘Defend yourselves against further attacks’ Ortom tells Benue residents

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has Tuesday charges residents in the state to defend themselves against further attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

    Ortom said this on a radio programme in the state on Tuesday.

    The governor noted that in spite of the presence of policemen in the state, killings were still going on in two local government areas.

    He flayed the statement credited to the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, which blamed the anti-open grazing law for the New Year attacks, saying it encouraged the herdsmen to carry out more attacks on the state.

    He said, “I think the people should have the right to defend themselves and not to make themselves easy preys to be killed in their homes.

    “So any lawful means you can adopt to defend yourself, just go ahead in Benue State. We are not going to wait for the Inspector-General of Police to do it.”

    The governor however commiserated with the families of the policemen killed in the attacks.

    “It is unfortunate, the people are dying and the Inspector-General of Police is playing politics with the issue. The man should resign because he has failed woefully. He doesn’t have the capacity.

    “There are many good police officers who can take over that job and perform creditably by turning around the security architecture of this country, making things work and protecting lives and property. That man has no business being the IGP,” Ortom lamented.

    Meanwhile, the governor has lifted the curfew imposed on Gboko town.

    Ortom had last Wednesday imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the town following the killing of seven travellers.

    Ortom announced the lifting of the curfew at a meeting he held with the leaders of the Benue Motorcycle Association and heads of security agencies at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.

    He condemned the killing of the travellers and maintained that the victims were not Fulani people as reported

     

  • We won’t tolerate attacks by ‘suspected herdsmen’ again – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was working on ending the farmers, herdsmen crisis that has degenerated to a national crisis.

    The president also said all security agencies in the country have been instructed to arrest and prosecute any and all persons found with illegal arms.

    The president was reacting to recent attacks in Benue and Taraba states, and other parts of the country in the continued herdsmen/farmers clashes.

    “The attacks by suspected herdsmen will not be tolerated and I appeal to all Nigerians to refrain from reprisal attacks,” President Buhari said while commissioning a school in Nassarawa state.

    Also in attendance at the event were Nassarawa state governor, Tanko Al-Makura; Plateau state governor, Solomon Lalong; Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, among others.

    At least 73 people died in the Benue attacks on January 1 and 2.

    Many Nigerians, including former leaders Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, have criticised the president’s handling of the crisis.

    Mr. Buhari said additional resources have been deployed to help deal with the crisis.

    “I want to assure the people of North central and all Nigerians that the federal government is working day and night to ensure peace and stability. We have deployed additional resources to all affected areas to maintain law and order,” the president said at Tuesday’s event.

    “I will like to once again express my condolence and sympathy to the victims of these barbaric act,” he added.