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Tag: Herdsmen

  • Herdsman kills police officer in Kebbi– Official

    Herdsman kills police officer in Kebbi– Official

    The Police Command in Kebbi on Thursday confirmed that a suspected herdsman had killed a policeman, Umaru Danladi, at Kaoge in Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.

    It said the herder, Babuga Kuaara, had already been arrested for the alleged offence, adding that the policeman was attached to the Kaoje Police Division in Bagudo local government area.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspected herdsman was reported to the police division by a farmer in the area that the herder reared his cows to destroy his farm on Wednesday evening.

    A witness who craved for anonymity, told journalists on Thursday that ” a police officer attached to Kaoje police division was ordered to go and arrest the herder who was still wandering with his cattle within the area”.

    “The police officer who came with his rifle, arrested the suspect, but as he was taking him to the waiting patrol vehicle, the herder drew his machete and stabbed the officer on his neck.

    “We saw the officer groaning in pains and bleeding but he died before we could apply first aid.

    “The herder was overpowered by officers who rushed to the scene,” the witness said.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Mustapha Suleiman, told Journalists that the suspect had been arrested.

    ”We have arrested the herder, Babuga Kuaara, for killing the officer. He had confessed to the crime and will be prosecuted accordingly,” Mr Suleiman said.

  • Tension in Taraba as suspected herdsmen kill 42, sack 12 villages

    At least, 42 people mostly women and children were reportedly killed across 12 villages in the Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.

    A witness and resident of the area, Dauda Marafa said in a phone interview that armed militiamen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Sunday invaded communities in the local government, killing anybody in sight.

    “The attacks started on Sunday evening and as of the last count this morning (Wednesday), 42 people have been killed.

    “The villages so far affected include Bujum, Yilti, Bunzung, Sabon Gida, Kwajafa, Sobon Layi and Budon.

    “Other villages that have been sacked by the Fulani herdsmen militia are Bamga Dutse, Bawa Garki, Mayo Lope and Kpanti Ladi.

    “Over 2,000 displaced persons are currently taking refuge at the Negatavah primary and secondary schools in Jalingo metropolis and more are still trooping in since Sunday when the attacks started.”

    Marafa lamented the failure of security agencies to deploy their men in the area, saying the casualty figure might rise as attacks were still ongoing.

    The state Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Peter Julius, who also hails from the area, said 19 of those killed were from five neighbouring villages.

    He called on the Federal Government to urgently draft security men to the area to stop the attacks from spreading.

    But the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP David Missal, who confirmed the attacks and killings said only six people were killed.

    He explained that SAR and Mopol commanders had temporarily relocated to the areas under attack to restore peace to the affected villages.

    “Apart from the deployment of our patrol team in the area, the Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations have been going there and coming back on a daily basis for the past three days to monitor the situation,” Missal added.

    The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and Publicity, Mr Bala Dan-Abu, who condemned the renewed attacks in the state, called on the Federal Government to arrest the situation.

    “We want the Federal Government to do something more concrete in ending the spate of killings in the state. The governor has no control over security personnel in the state, so we are looking up to the Federal Government to direct security agencies to arrest the situation,” he said.

    Dan-Abu added that the governor had directed the leadership of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency and the officials of the state Ministry of Health to the area to assess the damages and provide succour to the affected villagers.

    “We are also searching for displaced people so that we can provide adequate protection, care, treatment and relief materials for them.

    “This is because when attacks like this happen, people always run to where their relations are but we are doing everything within our means to bring them together, foster peace, protection and general well-being of our people. We are also appealing to people to give peace a chance in Taraba State.”

    He added that the state government was also engaging stakeholders to put an end to the crisis in the state.

    “We are also engaging critical stakeholders from the area in a series of meetings with a view to restoring peace and normalcy,” he said.

  • Again, herdsmen invade Adamawa, Taraba communities, kill 50

    Again, herdsmen invade Adamawa, Taraba communities, kill 50

    Over 50 People were reported to have been killed in fresh attacks on Monday night in several border communities in Adamawa and Taraba states.

    The attacks were reportedly carried out by Fulani militiamen targeting farming communities around Gojefa, Bujum Yashi, Bujum Waya, Sabonlayi and Bujum Kasuwa villages in the Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

    Other communities affected by the onslaught include Anguwan Bishop Yotti, Todung, Budon, Bunzum and Bamga Dutse located in Taraba State.

    The sustained attacks in recent times, according to the Hama Batta, Alhamdu Teneke, the traditional ruler of Demsa chiefdom, have resulted in most communities in the area abandoning farming. He said this development might lead to famine soon.

    Confirming the recent attacks, the member representing Numan in the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Sodomti Tayedi, said more than 50 people were feared killed in the wave of the recent attacks.

    She also pointed out that no week passed in her community without an attack carried out by suspected Fulani militia.

    Tayedi said, “Our people are farmers but my community is now living in fear since these attacks started in November last year and have persisted up till date.

    “We are hopeless and helpless; economic activities here have stopped. This is a farming season and if we cannot go to the farm, then poverty and starvation are what is left.

    “We are calling on the government, as a matter of urgency, to come and secure our people and constituency since no one is allowed to take up arms, then it is the responsibility of the government to protect people.”

    One of the survivors, Galilee Ishaku, a resident of Sabon Layi, said, “Those who attacked us were Fulani and they came when we were in the market because it was market day.

    “They suddenly entered our village and started shooting. We ran and cross over the river but they followed us and kept on shooting.

    “Right now as I am talking, they are in our village, grazing on our farms.

    “The people that I know were killed were more than 30 people but many of our villagers are still unaccounted for.”

    Another resident, Dong Jonah, said the attacks usually followed rumours of an impending attack, adding that despite the early warnings to security agencies, measures were hardly taken to forestall the attacks.

    However, the Adamawa State Government, on Tuesday through the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, condemned the attacks on Numan and Demsa communities.

    He also expressed the government’s concern about the displacement caused by the attacks while assuring the residents that the state government was working to restore peace to the troubled area.

    The Monday night attack was the fourth in two weeks with the residents claiming that over 100 people might have been killed. 21 persons were killed in attacks on Demsa and Numan villages.

  • ‘The Buhari I know will not support senseless killings by herdsmen’

    ‘The Buhari I know will not support senseless killings by herdsmen’

    A former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon on Tuesday exonerated President Muhammadu Buhari of the killings and violence across the country.

    Gowon noted that it is unfair to blame Buhari for the killings in the conflict between farmers and herders in some parts of Nigeria.

    Gowon, who was Nigeria’s military ruler between 1966 and 1974, said he believed the president has no hand in the killings.

    “The Buhari I know will not be involved in such things. Certainly, no leader will encourage his people to be killed.”

    He spoke on Tuesday at the Plateau State Government House when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Simon Lalong over the resurgence of violence in the state.

    At least 200 persons were believed dead in the violence in three local government areas in the state.

    Gowon condemned social media reports linking the president to killings in Nigeria, describing the reports as unfortunate.

    According to a statement by the state commissioner for Information and Communications, Yakubu Dati, Gowon decried the past practice of releasing arrested suspects without their trial.

    “People arrested should be investigated and prosecuted in Jos where the crime was committed,” the former leader said.

    Thanking him for the visit, Lalong said the state government has reviewed the state laws to prosecute perpetrators of killings and these would soon be signed into law.

    “We have reviewed adequate laws to prosecute offenders in Jos,” he said.

    Lalong thanked the former head of state for standing by the state as a father, adding that all efforts were being made to restore peace to the state.

  • Opposition spreading lies, blackmailing me with herdsmen, farmers clashes – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said opposition parties are blacking him with the herdsmen/farmers clashes happening in the northern part of the country.

    Buhari said this on Tuesday when he led leaders of the All Progressives Congress to Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital to support the party’s candidate, Kayode Fayemi in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

    Buhari appealed to Ekiti voters to cast their votes for Mr Fayemi on Saturday to secure their future and ensure the development of the state.

    The president, while addressing a huge crowd of APC supporters, said Ekiti people should be wary of the blackmail against his person regarding the herdsmen and farmers clash.

    Hundreds of people have been killed in several states due the violence, and largely despite security presence. Some of the states most affected by the violence are Plateau, Benue and Taraba.

    “They blackmailing me, saying I have not done anything about the farmers/Fulani herdsmen clashes because I am a Fulani man,” the president said.

    “But this is a cheap blackmail. We are doing everything to curtail the situation, and provide a lasting solution to the problem.”

    Buhari was apparently referring to the campaign stunts of the Peoples Democratic Party, branding the APC’s federal government as irresponsive to the herdsmen/farmers clashes.

    Ekiti State led a couple of states in the enactment of the anti-open grazing laws, which had been criticised by the federal government.

    Ayo Fayose, the Ekiti State Governor, had also been frontal in accusing the president of allowing the killings to continue, citing his ethnic origin as a major factor.

    Buhari said the allegation against him was untrue and a cheap blackmail.

    He also told the crowd in Ekiti to vote on Saturday and look beyond “stomach infrastructure.”

    Stomach infrastructure is Fayose’s policy on providing welfare directly to indigent people of the state.

    “Do not allow your future to be insulted by stomach infrastructure,” Buhari said. “Vote on Saturday, looking beyond stomach infrastructure.

    “Don’t waste your votes, vote for Dr Fayemi. I know Ekiti people cannot be brainwashed or deceived.”

    The president also said Ekiti State had received a fair share of projects from the federal government, including 13 roads worth N760.7 million, as well as housing projects. He said the projects were providing jobs for the people of the state.

    “I am not here to only campaign, but also to urge the people of Ekiti State to embrace change,” he said.

    While the APC was holding its rally at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, Fayose was holding another one at the government house.

    The rallies, held simultaneously, restricted movement around the town as Fayose rallied transporters and teeming PDP supporters to the government house for his rally.

    The city witnessed heavy traffic snarl as major routes leading into and outside the city were blocked to pave the way for the movement of the president, governors and other bigwigs of the APC; many of whom landed at the Akure airport, in neighbouring Ondo State, from where they arrived Ekiti by road.

    There were reports that Fayose mobilised the transporters to the government house in order to hamper the conveyance of APC members to the venue of the mega rally, as the bus drivers and okada riders drove and parked their vehicles at the government house, venue of the PDP rally.

    The APC rally was attended by the national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu; the pioneer chairman of the party, Bisi Akande; newly elected chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; the governors of Kebbi, Ogun, Kogi, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, and Nasarawa States; as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and federal ministers.

    Speaking at the rally, Tinubu said there was hardship in the country because the previous government looted the treasury.

    “The party stole all the money in the treasury. They ate the breakfast of the children,” he said. “Prices are up, yes, we agree, but who stole all the money. The PDP is a party of destruction. When they ate the tail and brain of the yam, where are they going to get the yam for lunch?”

     

  • Herdsmen kill three in Benue

    Herdsmen kill three in Benue

    Suspected Fulani herdsmen killed three farmers in Tse-Tyodugh, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, it was learnt yesterday.

    A community leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Job Tiza, who confirmed the killings, identified the deceased as Ormoba Tsebo, Mkarsha Kyaave and Aondofa Iorliam.

    Tiza said the farmers were killed about 7.30am on their way to the farm.

    According to him, four persons were riding on an okada when they were ambushed by suspected herdsmen who opened fire on them. Three died immediately while the surviving victim is on admission in the hospital.

    The community leader appealed to security agencies to live up to their responsibility of protecting life and property.

    Chairman of Logo council Richard Nyajo, who also confirmed the incident, dismissed reports by the military that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned home.

    Nyajo called on security agencies to tackle security challenges in the council.

    Police spokesman Moses Yamu said he was yet to get the report.

    “As we speak, those displaced persons have refused to return home because the herdsmen are still occupying the farm and communities,” he said.

  • Killings: It is cruel to say I support herdsmen because I’m Fulani – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said the claims that being a Fulani, he must be encouraging the killings being perpetrated by armed herdsmen in parts of the country seemed to him that there was no limit to the evil in the minds of men.

    The president wondered how anyone in their right minds would suggest that he, who emerged as President with substantial votes from the affected areas, would do any harm to the same people who voted for him.

    Buhari said this while receiving members of the Christian Association of Nigeria from the 19 northern states and Abuja at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The President said it was unfair for anybody to accuse his government of not doing anything to stop the killings.

    Buhari said, “When some (people), for clearly political purposes, attempt to suggest that this government is doing nothing about the killings, and that I, being Fulani, must be encouraging these satanic acts, it seems to me that there is no limit to the evil in the minds of men.

    “Otherwise, how can anyone in their right minds suggest that I, as an elected President even with substantial votes in the affected areas, will for any reason do harm by an act of omission to those same people?

    “Secondly, the problems in all these areas, as you all know, are historical. There is no administration that has not had to contend with killings in these same areas over the years.

    “Indeed, in 2001, you may recall that after thousands were killed in Plateau State, a state of emergency was declared and a governor was replaced by an administrator. To suggest that our administration is doing nothing is terribly unfair.

    “We must not forget that the same Plateau State which has been crisis-ridden for years has in the past three years been celebrated for its peacefulness. The governor’s hard work for peace and the presence of the military’s Operation Safe Haven must have had some impact.”

    The President said the government had deployed extra special forces from the Defence Headquarters.

    Besides, he said no fewer than three special military intervention forces were currently in the troubled zones.

    These forces, he said, were supported with investigative and intelligence gathering capabilities from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other agencies.

    Buhari said the military and the police had arrested hundreds of suspects across the various flashpoints in the region and several prosecutions were ongoing.

    He added, “The recent killings in Benue, Zamfara and lately Plateau are wicked, condemnable and completely unacceptable acts. We, Nigerians, are religious people and no religion or culture accepts the killing of people for any reason whatsoever.

    “This is why we must all rise as one to condemn these vile and wicked acts to ensure that all the culprits are brought to justice.

    “We owe it to the memory of those who lost their lives in the violence in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Zamfara and elsewhere since 1999 to bring the conflicts to a decisive end. I assure you that we will do this.

    “Let me make it clear that even a single life lost in any part of the country is one too many. I came to office vowing to ensure the protection of lives and property, and I remain committed to this despite the challenges we have experienced.

    “I, therefore, seek your support as clerics and religious leaders to join hands with this administration and give us your full support. As you all know, deploying law enforcement agencies is fully our responsibility as a government while creating the platform and mechanisms for dialogue is a collective effort.

    “The military and the police have arrested hundreds of suspects across the various flashpoints in the region and several prosecutions are going on. In a number of cases, we have seen convictions.

    “Nigerians are right when they say they want to see more convictions and I would like to appeal to the judiciary to help us to fast-track these cases.

    The President said government could achieve lasting peace only with the sincere and active cooperation of communities, religious leaders, youths and other stakeholders.

    These, he added, included the media in whose hand, he said, “lies the power to frame, shape the perspectives and narratives which influence the thinking of millions of people within and outside Nigeria.”

    “Finally, let us collectively shame those who are stoking the fires of ethnic and religious conflicts for their short-term political gains.

    “This country belongs equally to Christians and Muslims and even those who claim ignorance of God,” Buhari told his guests.

     

  • I’m ready to lead battle against killer herdsmen – Gani Adams

    Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Adams, has reacted to the recent killings in the country while declaring his readiness to lead fight against killer herdsmen.

    Adams, who called for a South-West Security Summit to discuss herdsmen killings in the region, stated that events of the last few months have shown that Nigeria is at the crossroads.

    A statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen lamented that blood thirsty maniacs are on the rampage, killing and maiming innocent Nigerians.

    It reads: “The insecurity in the land is reaching an alarming peak. Pitiably, the ‘clear and present danger’ today is that the government seems helpless to curtail the situation.

    “In some sections of the country, it is no longer ‘breaking news’ that marauders kill farmers at will.

    “Because these killings are giving patriotic Nigerians the creeps, patriots are shouting themselves hoarse, telling the government to do something urgently to check the trend.

    “While members of the comity of nations are alarmed about happenings in our country, it appears as if they are crying more than the bereaved.

    “Although the government has promised to check the rampaging lunatics, Nigerians are still not convinced of a decisive clampdown on these killers.

    “Thousands of lives have been lost to these sons of Lucifer, but it is strange that not even a single arrest or prosecution has been affected.

    “When I was installed as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland by His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, on January 13, 2018, I vowed that I would do everything to project the image and protect the name of Yorubaland.

    “Sadly, my zeal to protect Yorubaland and the will of millions of Yoruba to defend their fatherland are being tested with the invasion of some parts of our land by these killers.

    “I find it difficult to comprehend this open insult that some killers, whose kinsmen live in our villages, towns and cities, will invade Yorubaland at will, kidnap, rape and, in some bizarre situations, kill some of our sons and daughters.

    “The borders of Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo and Kogi states are becoming too hot for indigenes as many people have been kidnapped, leading to soldiers going after these killers deep inside the forest.

    “Recently, the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Saki Unit, Oyo State Police Command, was killed by these marauders.

    “I ask, if we allow killings of innocent farmers and destruction of farmlands in any part of Yorubaland to continue, where is our determination to defend the Yoruba society, values and territory? Obviously, our silence is being misconstrued for foolishness.

    “We cannot continue to expose the flanks of Yoruba societies and communities to incursions and attacks because we have enough hunters, traditionalists, farmers and ancestral security outfits to commence the maximum protection of all parts of Yorubaland.

    “Strangers are gradually taking over parts of our land but according to history, marauders, arsonists and murderous gangs failed, and will continue to fail, to conquer Yorubaland.

    “The first fundamental right of a Nigerian is the ‘Right to Life’. The day will never come when Yoruba men, women, adults and infants can no longer move freely in their fatherland.

    “Insult from these killers to the Yoruba Nation is gradually creeping in. You will recall that Senator Ayo Arise was recently abducted on his way to Abuja. A Methodist priest was also abducted in Osun.

    “Our traditional institution was desecrated on June 23 when Olori Olukemi Agunloye, the wife of Oba Samuel Kehinde Agunloye, the Alauga of Auga Akoko, in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, was abducted on the notorious Auga/Ise Road in the Akoko area of the state.

    “The next day, more than 200 innocent men, women and children were killed in Plateau State. Are we going to wait for this type of barbaric killing to happen before we rise against this evil in Yorubaland? Time to check this madness is now.

    “Therefore, I urge the government to urgently liaise with Executives in Yorubaland to convene a South-West Security Summit to be held in one of the state capitals. The meeting will involve, among others, traditional rulers, religious and opinion leaders, farmers, businessmen, herders and security agents in the region.”

  • Melaye gives reason for persistent problem in Nigeria

    Member Representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Dino Melaye, has given reason why there is persistent problem in the country.

    TheNewsGuru reports Melaye said the problem in Nigeria is not solely based on the inadequacies or inability of security agencies.

    He alludes that the problem is based on the blatant disregard for human life.

    “The problem in Nigeria if I might add is not solely based on the inadequacies or inability of the security agencies. I would say if I’m allowed is based on the “blatant disregard for Every Human Life”.

    “If each life matters, the Federal government would have taken the necessary actions years ago to contain and resolve these matters which sadly go beyond the issue with the Fulani herdsmen.

    “Youths are dying due to drug addiction, unemployment and suicide rate on the increase. Boko Haram still a threat to stability in the Northern region,” he said.

    He went further to stated that “Individual Nigerians must also be accountable to each life matters”.

    “We are our brothers’ keeper. We shouldn’t just talk about these atrocities and be scandalized for a few weeks and then move on to the next topic.

    “We all collectively have to cry out, get the international community’s attention and hold all legislators (local and federal) accountable until satisfactory results obtained.

    “Underperforming officials must never be rewarded but dealt with swiftly and efficiently to ensure the preservation and respect for human life.

    “If you have value for life please help spread each life matter,” he concluded.

     

  • Sultan blasts Ortom, Fani-Kayode for linking herdsmen killings to Danfodio

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam on Tuesday knocked Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, and a former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, for linking the herdsmen killings across Benue, Taraba and other parts of the North, to the continuation of the late Usman Danfodio’s jihad.

    The Sultan is the President General of the JNI with its headquarters in Kaduna.

    The group warned the governor and his cohorts, not to take Nigerian Muslims for granted by denigrating the Muslim community.

    This was just as the JNI urged Nigerian Muslims to intensify prayers for peace as the 2019 general elections approach.

    The JNI added that the need for Muslims to pray for hitch-free polls became imperative as politicians continued to foment crisis in the land.

    He called on “Muslims to intensify prayers for peace to return to the nation and for a hitch-free 2019 general election as politicians are busy trying to cause crises with their unguarded utterances.”

    Saying that the group would not have reacted to the governor’s vituperation, but for the fact that it maligned the name of the revered Usman Danfodio.

    The JNI through its Secretary-General, Dr. Abubakar Khalid Aliyu, stated this in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    The group said, “This is a reaction to a recent interview granted by HE Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue State to an online TV programme, The Osasu Show, in Makurdi, the state capital, and has been carried widely by both the print and electronic media, to the effect that the ongoing herders-farmers clashes in his state are a continuation of the Jihad of our revered Shehu Usman Danfodio.

    “For the records, the governor is not alone in throwing these tantrums, Femi Fani Kayode, one-time Minister of Aviation during the reign of President Obasanjo has always said lots of unprintable things against Shehu Danfodio. This rejoinder is premised on the fact that Islam does not encourage its adherents to castigate other people of faith or fabricate lies against them but encourages that once the Ummah (Society) of Islam is frequently maligned, then it is incumbent on the society to defend itself, hence the need for this write-up.

    “The Benue governor got it wrong, most likely because of his malicious intent to smear the revered personality of Shehu Danfodio who had said in a widely-quoted statement that: “Truth is an open wound, only justice can heal it.”

    “It should be noted that the Benue State Government and the Tiv Traditional Council have overtime been yelling that the Fulani crisis at their end is a continuation of Danfodiyo’s jihad. A case in point was the 17th March, 2014 press statement with Reference Number TTC/P1/2 signed by Ber Godwin, Press Secretary to the Tor Tiv and the Tiv Area Traditional Council.

    “We, therefore, call on all, particularly the Benue State Government and its cohorts not to take for granted the leadership of Nigerian Muslims over these unfortunate crises in the name of herders-farmers’ clashes, particularly at this very critical time when the security challenges in the country are so many. More so, it is Ramadan period, a time we Muslims are enjoined to be cautious and calm in our affairs.”