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Tag: Herdsmen

  • Herdsmen in military uniform kill 16 in Benue

    Herdsmen in military uniform kill 16 in Benue

    Suspected herdsmen dressed in military uniform yesterday killed 16 people at Agagbe community in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State while several others were either injured or displaced. The gunmen invaded the community about 4.30a.m.

    But the Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, (OPWS), Major General Adeyemi Yekini, said only seven people whose bodies had been recovered by his men in what he described as reprisal were killed.

    The OPWS Commander in charge of Gwer West Local Government Area, Flying Officer Mohammed Abubakar, who, along with Yekini, briefed journalists at the Tactical Air Command of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Makurdi, said the invaders were sighted in Agagbe forest rustling cows and he quickly mobilised his men to the area and opened fire on them. According to him, three of the rustlers were killed by troops and were taken to hospital in the area.

    He said: “We later traced them to Ter Nagi’s Palace and discovered 22 cattle, but he (the Ter Nagi) claimed that the cattle belong to him even before the coming of OPWS to the area. “Thereafter, we made contact with the DPO who equally identified the rustlers as members of the Livestock Guard who disguised in military uniform to rustle cattle and butcher them for sale at the Naka market. As I speak with you, they are selling the meat at the market.

    The DPO also gave names of seven persons who are members of the Livestock Guard involved in the attack. “Just this afternoon, our men went on mop up patrol and discovered four additional dead bodies at the scene of the incident.” On his part, Yekini expressed regrets over the attack, noting that some unforeseen forces were deliberately trying to heat up the state.

    Yekini assured the people of the state that his men would continue to perform their job by chasing the armed herdsmen away from the state, but advised those bent on ensuring chaos in the state to desist to avoid being caught by the law. But in a swift reaction, the Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, said there was heavy attack in some communities in his domain.

    Abomtse said the OPWS had been helpful but sometimes, troops would kill cows belonging to herdsmen and chase them away only for the herders to come for a reprisal on his subjects. The Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, Francis Ayaga, confirmed that 16 persons were killed by suspected herdsmen, adding that three communities were also not spared.

    Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday described the killing of 16 people at Agagbe as unfortunate. The governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Terver Akase, that “it was wrong for OPWS to allege that members of the Livestock Guards were involved in the killings and tasked the troops to always verify their source of information rather than relying on unverifiable ones before passing judgement.”

    He said: “This Operation Whirl-Stroke comprises of professional soldiers who supposed to act professionally. They can’t rely on information from unverifiable source to come and say members of Livestock Guards are instigating crisis. Livestock Guards are not armed, neither were they given military uniform by Benue government. So the military should be objective and unbiased in their actions.”

  • 2019 elections: Nigeria can’t afford to fail – US

    The Ambassador of United States to Nigeria, Stuart Symington on Tuesday said Nigeria has to get the 2019 elections right so as not to disappoint those that looked up to it after the feat recorded in 2015.

    Symington made the remarks when he paid a visit to the Police Command in Kaduna.

    “The State of Kaduna is an important place during this election. I am here to underscore a couple of key ideas.

    “The first being that these elections are really about Nigerians, decided by Nigerians under it’s laws which will define the future of Nigeria.

    “The election is also for others who have looked up to Nigeria’s example of democracy in the past especially if it would be as good as that of the elections of 2015.”

    He, therefore, said it was important for Nigerians to decide on the election’s credibility like they did in 2015, “so that it’s credit will be invested in democracy and freedom throughout West Africa and across the entire World.”

    He urged Nigerians to also interrogate politicians using hate speeches and disseminating fake news, as they are capable of dividing or causing problems among the people.

    “These kind of negative speeches can have negative impacts in the future.

    “There are other people who have pointed fingers at those who are saying the elections would come out wrong, saying the elections can be right if every citizen of Nigeria act on the understanding that they are individually responsible for anything they get from the polls”, he stressed.

    He noted that so far, there has been cheering commitments from President Muhammadu Buhari and other leading candidates contesting to rule the country, to ensure that every vote counts.

    The U.S ambassador added that people must take responsibility for their actions, “first before God, second under the laws of the country, in the eyes of countrymen and lastly in the eyes of the world.”

    Symington therefore encouraged all Nigerians to participate peacefully in the elections, to guarantee free, fair, peaceful and a credible honest reflection of their choice.

    Responding, the Police Commissioner, Ahmad AbdurRahman, assured that the command would do its best in providing level playing field to all political parties, candidates and the electorates to actively participate in the polls.

    He said it, however, behoves on all Nigerians, to behave and conduct themselves according to the rules guiding the election.

    “The Police has no interest in the outcome of the elections or the person who wins eventually, ours is to police the process to it’s conclusion.

    “We are the referees without a team, just abide by the rules and don’t engage in hate speeches right from the campaign to elections,” Abdur-Rahman said.

    The Commissioner said that the command has commenced the prosecution of those alleged to have engaged in hate speeches during campaigns.

  • Fulani groups accuse Buhari’s govt of neglect, say no preferred presidential candidate

    Fulani groups accuse Buhari’s govt of neglect, say no preferred presidential candidate

    Coalition of Fulani herdsmen groups in Nigeria have dissociated themselves from some Fulani unions’ endorsement of a particular presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections.

    They described the endorsement as dangerous noting that their associations were social, non political and none partisan aimed at uplifting Fulani interests.

    Alhaji Saleh Bayari, leader of the coalition made this known at a National Delegates meeting of coalition of Fulani Associations from 36 states of the federation and the FCT held in Sokoto on Sunday.

    The groups said the endorsement was not in the interest of the generality of Fulani herdsmen as neither consultations nor meetings were held prior to the decision.

    The associations directed their members to disregard the endorsement and elect any candidate of their choice as guaranteed by the constitution.

    It also reminded herdsmen to consider the credibility and suitability of candidates as well as the leader that has regard and concerns with their plights.

    According to the groups, about 17 million pastoralists are in Nigeria and that while government disburses subsidy and support to farmers, herdsmen obtained nothing in past four years.

    The coalition accused the Federal Government of not doing enough for Fulani herdsmen in recognition that they were marginalised in the present disbursement of Tradermoni scheme and others.

    The groups alleged that the present administration had neglected them on agricultural support schemes, concentrating mostly on grain, poultry and fish farming.

    The groups further explained that the meeting was organised to exchange thoughts and ideas and possible ways of librating the Fulani herdsmen to come out to speak with one tongue.

    They also said the laws banning cattle grazing were unconstitutional that violated human rights while noting that the moves to establish cattle ranches and colonies were yet to come to reality.

    The coalition further stated that President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar are all Fulani men and urged members to elect who showed concerns on pastoralists’ plights and their economic development as well as engaged on “Ruga to Ruga” consultation campaign.

    In the communiqué read by Bayari at end of the event, the coalition commended Amnesty International 2018 report that said about 3,641 persons lost their lives in farmers/headsmen conflicts in Nigeria.

    Bayari appealed to the Federal Government to grant unconditional amnesty to their members detained over various crimes allegations in the country.

    He said the federal government should consider amnesty to Fulani people accused of crimes as it was done to agitators in the oil rich Niger Delta region.

    “About 3,000 Fulani clans are in detention at different security formations in the country.

    “Poverty, neglect and poor treatment among fellow Nigerians are mostly causes that forced those accused persons to engage in dastardly acts,” Bayari said.

    He explained that about 2,500 pastoralists were killed while 3.7 million livestock were either killed or rustled from the herdsmen at various states of the federation, the situation that subjected members to untold hardships.

    He pointed out that granting them amnesty would allow leaders to unite their fellows and partner with authorities to sanction any member found engaging in any unlawful activities.

     

  • Panic in Benue as herdsmen set Ortom’s rice farm ablaze

    Suspected herdsmen have set ablaze the over 20,000 hectares of rice farm belonging to Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.

    TNG reports that the rice farm is located in Tse-Adorogo, Mbabeagh, Nzorov, Guma Local Government Area of the state.

    According to a report by The Nation, the governor said he had not harvested his rice farm, which is incorporated under Oracle Business Limited, before the suspected herdsmen set it ablaze.

    Oracle Farms, which started when the governor was the Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, is into massive rice and soybeans cultivation.

    It was learnt that this was the fourth time Ortom’s farms had been attacked.

    When he was Minster of State in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, suspected herdsmen attacked his Oracle Farm on Naka Road at gunpoint and stole 30 cows.

    The herdsmen struck again in 2014 at his Tse- Adorogo, Mbabeagh country home and set his rice farm and house ablaze.

    When he became governor in 2015, herdsmen again set ablaze his rice farm in 2016 and 2017.

    The governor expressed concern that herdsmen again destroyed crops in the state.

    He reiterated his called for ranching of animals, saying there is no more land for anyone to feed their cattle in the name of grazing.

    “I said ranching is the international best practice for animal husbandry. But if anyone has an alternative method, let him bring it to the table,” he said.

    Ortom urged youths not to take the law into their hands but report to security agencies if any cattle encroached on farm lands in any part of the state.

    The governor however said he would officially visit the rice farm Tuesday to assess the damage done to it by the herdsmen.

     

  • Herdsmen attack Benue community on Xmas eve, kill father of seven

    It was a tragic Christmas for residents of Ukemberagya, Gaambe-Tiev community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State as herdsmen in their numbers reportedly launched attacks on the eve of Christmas Day leading to the death of one Ioewuese Myaga, a father of seven children.

    A community leader in the area, Anawah Joseph added that the whole community had been deserted.

    Anawah said, “Some herdsmen on the eve of Christmas murdered Mr Iorwuese Myaga, a father of seven children, a resident of a settlement in Ukemberagya Gaambe-Tiev.

    “He was murdered by Fulani herdsmen terrorists on his farm where he went to harvest corn.

    “They ambushed and shot him at close range behind in the neck piercing his gullet through the stomach.

    “His corpse was recovered on 25/12/18 and buried at his country home Tse Ikyem, Ukemberagya Gaamne-Tiev Logo LGA Benue state.

    “As of today (Wednesday), the whole community is deserted we are all gathered at NKST Church.”

    The community leader who said that the population of the community is about 300 (three hundred people) further said that the deceased was buried the following day which is Xmas.

    “Until this gruesome murder, Mr Iowuese Myaga was a devout Christian of NKST denomination and an active member of the Tiv choir NKST Chembe consistory,” Anawah said.

    Recall that communities in Logo and Guma local government areas of the state were severely attacked from the New Year day of 2018 till August this year.

    When contacted, the state police command’s spokesman, Moses Yamu, said he was yet to be briefed.

  • Herdsmen strike again in Benue, kill four

    Four farmers have been killed by suspected herdsmen in a fresh attack on Tse- Dzungwe, Logo Local Government area of Benue State.

    Killed are Terlumun Uke,Samuel Dwem,and Draba Dwem and Apaaga Mlanga.

    Tse- Dzungwe which is located on the banks of River Benue, has been repeatedly attacked by herdsmen with residents just recovering from a recent invasion before the latest onslaught.

    A spokesman for the community Tyovenda Gbumsy told The Nation that herdsmen moved into the area with a hundreds of cattle which destroyed crops.

    Tyovenda who fled to a neighbouring community said the invasion was reported to soldiers drafted to the state and they chased the herdsmen away.

    He said that soon afterwards,the herdsmen regrouped and launched an attack on Tse- Dzungwe .

    Police Spokesman ,Moses Yamu, a DSP said he was yet to be officially informed about the development.

     

  • Herdsmen killings will continue if Buhari is re-elected – Atiku

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday said killings by herdsmen would continue in the country unless President Muhammadu Buhari is voted out of office in 2019.

    Atiku said this while reacting to Amnesty International’s report on herdsmen/farmers’ clashes which indicted the Federal Government for failing to stop the killing of 3,641 Nigerians by herdsmen in the last three years.

    In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice- President described the Presidency’s response to the report as “tepid.”

    He said, “Unless Nigerians vote out the All Progressives Congress administration, killings by herdsmen will continue and ultimately spark series of ethno-religious crises that will be irreversible.

    “It is now very clear, like Amnesty International said in its report, that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari has displayed gross incompetence and has failed in its duty to protect the lives of its people who have witnessed many preventable deaths.

    “This situation has put the nation on the verge of disintegration.”

    Atiku said the Federal Government lacked the capacity to stop the security challenges confronting the nation which he said had left thousands of Nigerians either killed or maimed.

    The killings, he said, were scaring away foreign investors.

    He added, ‘’After every attack, either by herdsmen or by kidnappers, the government will vow to get the culprits and punish them. Then more deaths will occur and the government will repeat its vow.

    “This is not reassuring to the people of Nigeria as well as foreigners who may want to do business in the country.

    “Therefore, it is now clear that in spite of their best efforts, Buhari and his party, the APC, cannot stop the herdsmen and other criminal elements currently terrorising the country.”

    Atiku said it was frightening that the Buhari administration was not doing anything in the face of the World Bank’s report that claimed that Nigeria will soon become the world capital of underage deaths.

  • Miyetti Allah warns against any attack on Malian Herders in Sokoto

    Security agencies and civilians have been warned by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore against attacking Malian herders grazing their cattle in Gudu and Tangaza Local Government Areas of Sokoto State.

    Reports of the invasion of Gudu and Tangaza in Sokoto State by some bandits have been flying around on social media on Friday.

    But the state police command had debunked the claim, saying the invaders were not bandits, but herdsmen from Mali “who reside in a forest in Niger Republic, sharing a border with Gudu and Tangaza Local Government Areas of the state.”

    According to The Punch on Monday, the Secretary-General of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhassan Saleh, said the Malian herders’ presence in the country was nothing to worry about, as they were only grazing their cattle, a tradition he said they had been performing annually for the past 100 years.

    “Those people are not bandits; they are covered by the ECOWAS Protocol on Trans Human Movement to move across borders to graze their cattle. They have been doing that for over 100 years. They come during the dry season and leave later,” he said.

    The said protocol allows ECOWAS member countries’ citizens to have the right to enter, reside and establish in the territory of member countries.

    Article 3 of the protocol, however, states that any ECOWAS citizen who wishes to enter the territory of any other member country shall be required to possess a valid travel document and international health certificate.

    Saleh said the government and security agencies ought to sensitise Nigerians on the protocol in order to avert any trouble.

    He said, “It’s because we are so sensitive nowadays that anytime we see a large number of cows, we panic. I blame the government and security agencies for this. They ought to enlighten the people on the ECOWAS Protocol for better understanding.

    “Those foreign herders are not bandits and I hope we will not attack them and then invite trouble. Nobody should attack them.

    “Ideally, the Customs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among other security agencies, should issue Trans Human Certificates to the foreign herders.”

    Saleh said the security agencies ought to have collected important data, such as the number of herders coming into the country; the number of cattle they are bringing into the country; the health of the cows so as to know which one is diseased; how long the herders will stay here with their cattle; and when they will leave so that they can be tracked.

    He said, “We are supposed to have cross-border security in place and deploy cattle tracking technology. Unfortunately, the government is not serious about livestock development in this country.

    “They would promise to ranch today and cattle colony tomorrow, but nothing is happening. Maybe they want to eradicate pastoralism and give the business to capitalists.”

    The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police, Moshood Jimoh, had also on Saturday said there were no bandits in Sokoto State, but herders from Mali.

    “They come to the same area annually from Mali to Nigerian border areas in search of water for their cattle,” he had said.

  • Ortom’s govt behind herdsmen’s killings in Benue – Akume

    Ortom’s govt behind herdsmen’s killings in Benue – Akume

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator George Akume, claimed on Friday that the Benue State Government was behind the attacks by herdsmen in the state, which had consumed hundreds of lives.

    In the course of the relentless attacks, many villages were also reduced to rubble in Benue state.

    On January 1 alone, 75 lives were lost to the herdsmen in the state in one example among many that followed subsequently across several months.

    The Benue killings received both national and international condemnation, especially when the plight of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons became the sight of sadness and sorrows.

    But, Akume, a former Governor of the state, blamed the attacks on the state government.

    He spoke with State House correspondents shortly after he led a delegation of All Progressives Congress members from the state on a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The visit was primarily to assure Buhari that the party would mobilise support in Benue State for Buhari’s re-election in 2019.

    Responding to a question on the herdsmen, Akume replied, “When you talk about herdsmen and farmers’ clash, it is a story going good-bye Have you heard of farmers/herders clashes in Benue again? No.

    “We know those who were behind that; government was behind that. I am talking about the state government, through the livestock guards. They knew what was going on. So it is now a thing of the past.

    “Everything that is going there is fraudulent in Benue State and the people are simply tired on this misinformation that they have been receiving. The narrative has changed; it is not question of herdsmen, we are not talking about religious and ethnic bigotry, we are talking about performance of government.”

    A statement by his Special Adviser to President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, also said the President was unhappy that some states took bailout to pay salaries but still owed workers.

    On the herdsmen, the President was quoted as saying, “We know about herders. The ones we knew carried sticks, and sometimes cutlasses to cut foliage for their cattle. We now have people who carry AK 47s and pretend they are herdsmen.

  • Herdsmen planning to attack Benue again – Ortom raises alarm

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Friday raised the alarm that herdsmen have threatened to unleash fresh attacks in Benue State.
     
    In a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, the herdsmen had sent a message to the people of Mbagwen community in Guma Local Government Area of the state.
    The governor’s alarm is coming after the recent attack on Tse Ado village in the same Guma LGA where herdsmen killed two people in their farm.
     
    Ortom said, “Herdsmen have sent a message to the people of Mbagwen community in Guma Local Government Area that they will attack in a matter of days. This was confirmed by the Council Chairman of Guma.
     
    “Two days ago, herdsmen drove the people of Tse-Ado and the surrounding villages out of their homes after they killed two farmers at Angela community.
     
    “The herdsmen had occupied communities in parts of Guma and Logo after chasing away members of those communities and killing many.
     
    “The threats are coming on the heels of the return of some internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
     
    “The question is; why are the attacks resuming at a time the harvest season is here? We suspect that the planned invasion is targeted at preventing the people from harvesting the few crops they were able to cultivate amid the mindless attacks which took place earlier in the year.”
     
    WhiIe drawing the attention of the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Adeyemi Yekini, to the threat, the governor through his CPS called on the commander not to take the latest threat of the attack lightly.
     
    He commended the Commander, officers, and men of Operation Whirl Stroke for the great job they had done to ensure the return of the IDPs to their communities and urged them to move swiftly to forestall the evil agenda of the armed herdsmen and their sponsors.