TheNewsGuru

Tag: Herdsmen

  • Miyetti Allah forms legal Cttee to help combat injustice faced by herdsmen

    Miyetti Allah forms legal Cttee to help combat injustice faced by herdsmen

    The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a socio-cultural association representing the Fulani community, has taken a stand against perceived injustice faced by its members across Nigeria.

    In a bid to address these concerns, the organization has established a 55-member legal committee tasked with assessing cases involving its members across the country and seeking appropriate legal remedies.

    In addition to the legal committee, two other committees focusing on enlightenment and nomadic education have been inaugurated to address challenges related to education and social cohesion among the Fulani community.

    During their annual general meeting held in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, the association expressed their commitment to addressing issues faced by Fulani cattle herders.

    They highlighted the situation of Fulani herders being treated as criminals and the unjust incarceration of some in correctional facilities.

    This, they emphasized, was a misconception and an unfair generalization.

    The National President of the association, Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo, explained that the legal team’s primary responsibility is to provide legal support to herders who have been unjustly treated, humiliated, and incarcerated.

    He emphasized that the association does not promote violence and believes in the unity and peace of Nigeria.

    Bodejo emphasized that their legal assistance would not extend to those who incite trouble or engage in unjustified acts.

    He stressed their commitment to a peaceful and united nation and encouraged herders to coexist harmoniously with fellow Nigerians.

    Hajiya Aisha Bala Muhammed, the First Lady of Bauchi State and Matron of the Association, underscored the fact that crime exists across all ethnic groups in Nigeria.

    She urged the association members to prioritize education, which she believes will contribute to reducing crime in society.

    Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Chairman of Karu LGA, James Thomas, expressed the state government’s continued support for the association and its members, reaffirming their commitment to addressing issues affecting them.

    The establishment of these committees highlights the association’s effort to engage with the concerns faced by its members and seek peaceful solutions through legal means, education, and social cohesion initiatives.

  • Just In: Herdsmen reportedly kill Army Commander in Benue

    Just In: Herdsmen reportedly kill Army Commander in Benue

    …14 others also killed

    Commander of the Nigerian Army peace-keeping force, codenamed Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in Apa Local Council of Benue State and 14 other persons have been killed by suspected herdsmen in Opaha Community in Edikwu.

    It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the community about 7:20p.m. on Tuesday in an attack that dragged into Wednesday morning.

    A resident, Isah Daniel, said the community was deserted as a result of the attack, while the wounded were taken to a private clinic in Ugbokpo and Adoka.

    As I talk to you, we don’t know the location of many people because everyone ran away, as the attackers invaded the community at night,” he said

    Opaha is the hometown of House of Assembly member representing Apa Constituency, Abu Umoro, and the Commissioner for Finance, David Olofu.

    The commissioner described the attack as ‘unprovoked’, saying that over 15 persons were killed, including an army officer.

    “Yes, they just went to my community and killed over 15 people, including the commander of OPWS in that area.

    “This is a peaceful community. The attackers went to the community around 4.00p.m. As I talk to you, the whole community has been sacked,” the commissioner said.

    Public Relations Officer (PRO) of OPWS, Flight-Lt. Flogh Oquoh, told newsmen that the commander was killed at the scene of the attack.

    Also, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the attack.

    This is the third time communities in Apa would be attacked in recent weeks.

    Also, gunmen killed by six persons in Farin Lamba community of Jos South Local Council of Plateau State on Tuesday night.

    The attackers were reportedly searching for illegal miners when they ran into the victims and started shooting. Six died instantly, while others sustained injuries.

    The gunshots were said to have caused a lot of confusion and apprehension among the people.

  • Suspected herdsmen invade Benue communities, 50 feared killed

    Suspected herdsmen invade Benue communities, 50 feared killed

    At least 50 persons have been feared killed during a four-day attack by suspected herdsmen who invaded some communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that the affected communities include Adam, Iyarinwa, Abamde Ityuluv, Waya Boagundu, Agura Ayaga and Azege areas in Turan Council Ward, Kwande LGA.

    The immediate past Chairman of the LGA, Tertsua Yarkbewan, while speaking to journalists on the phone on Monday, said over 50 people were killed during the attacks by suspected herdsmen.

    He said, “My people are being massacred like goats. What we have been hearing is that there are Fulani attacks, especially in Turan in the Kwande axis. Even places where there were no attacks before are witnessing attacks.

    “Now, every day you hear that five or four people were killed, you cannot have the exact number of those that have been killed because some corpses are still in the bush and yet to be recovered. But looking at the number of people being killed in the past few days, I think the casualty figures should be over 50.”

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, when contacted, debunked the casualty figure.

    She said, “They have not given me the report but it is not up to 50; the initial report they gave me there was a change of leadership of the division. The new DPO just reported last Friday and when I asked him to give me a situation report he said the area is calm now.”

    Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the APC, Hyacinth Alia, in a statement issued by one of his media aides, Isaac Uzaan, condemned the attacks on communities in Kwande and Gwer-West by suspected herders.

    He also expressed deep concern over the herdsmen invasion of communities in the state and the gruesome killing of citizens, adding that the situation had become a new normal in the state.

    “The Benue APC governorship candidate faulted the resurgence of the brutal killings of Benue citizens, wondering why such was coming at the heels of the presidential and National Assembly elections that produced Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement said.

    In his reaction, the acting Chairman of PDP in the state, Isaac Teryila, condemned the attacks that resulted in the loss of people’s lives, the destruction of property including farms and the consequent displacement of people from their lands in the state.

    “Those attacks, if not halted by security forces, will further worsen the problem of low voters’ turnout at the coming governorship and state House of Assembly elections slated to hold on March 11, 2023, across the state.”

  • Ondo traditional rulers raise alarm over influx of herdsmen

    Ondo traditional rulers raise alarm over influx of herdsmen

    Traditional rulers in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised the alarm over the influx of suspected herdsmen into communities in the area.

    The traditional rulers, in a communique issued at the end of the stakeholders’ meeting on Sunday in Ute, said the activities of the herdsmen had been hindering preparation for the planting season in the area.

    The traditional rulers are; Olute of Ute, Oba Oluwole Akinrongbe; Olumoru of Imoru, Oba Rotimi Obamuwagun; Arujale Ojima of Okeluse, Oba Oloyede Akinghare and Odibiado of Ijagba, Oba Andrew Okioya.

    The traditional rulers, who sent a Save our Soul (SOS) to Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, said the situation had led to the spike in attacks on farmers, kidnapping, rape and destruction of farmlands in the area.

    They noted that the development had attendant implications on food security not only in agrarian communities in the council, but also in the entire state.

    They said that farmers who were supposed to mobilise for the new farming season had been driven from farms by armed miscreants who had been mobilising themselves to the area on a daily basis.

    The royal fathers, therefore, called on the state government, security agencies to take urgent steps to stem the dangerous tide.

    They noted that rate of unprovoked attacks on towns, villages and settlements in the area was becoming “vey scary and highly embarrassing.”

    The traditional rulers, who commended the state governor, the Police, Amotekun Corps and other security agencies for tackling insecurity in the state, called for urgent steps to restore peace to the affected communities.

    “We passionately appeal that more definite and significant efforts be put in place to ensure more holistic approach to this unending security problems.

    “The emerging insecurity in the area, if not tackled with increased efforts, can result in famine in the state. We advise residents of the communities to be extra vigilant and report suspected movement and cases to the security agencies.

    “The rate, level and degree of unprovoked attacks on towns, villages and settlements in the southern part of Ose Local Government Area are very scary and highly embarrassing,” they said.

    According to them, the incessant attacks usually leave in its wake massive destruction of lives, property, rape of married women, teenagers, underage, kidnaping and murder in all the camps, villages, settlements and suburbs like Arimogija.

    The traditional rulers said: “These perpetrators destroyed hectares of plantations of plantains, cassava, yams etc at will, harvest such crops and feed their animals with them.

    “They perpetrate such atrocities, on the alleged belief that their cows usually give birth to two or three of their kinds at once when they are fed with this crops.

    “At regular intervals, they wilfully set fires on cocoa and other farmlands thereby causing poverty, hardship, hunger, sorrow and extreme pains to our people.

    “Our entire landscape is agrarian, therefore, our people are basically small and medium scale farmers hence, their livelihood depends on these efforts, now totally annihilated.

    “Now, our people live in constant fears and can no longer access their farmlands and places of business because the bandits, terrorists and armed herders have forcefully occupied and taken over our farmlands and forests.”

    The royal fathers, however, called for the deployment of more security personnel to the area due to its strategic position and establishment of Forward Operational Base in the area.

    The traditional rulers demanded for “creation of standard police divisions, provisions of effective patrol units and proper clearing of the road verges in the area to ensure clear visibility.

    “Deployment of a unit of Mobile Police men with armed Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), deployment of technology to assist in the surveillance of ground forces and urgent provision of relief materials and economic empowerment for the displaced persons to prevent them from going into crimes.”

  • Ijaw leaders lament presence of armed herdsmen

    Ijaw leaders lament presence of armed herdsmen

    Ijaw leaders, under the auspices of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), have cautioned against invasion of Ijaw communities by armed men, suspected to be herdsmen.

    They observed that there has been an alarming invasion of communities and farmlands of Ijaw and indeed Niger Delta people by “these intruders who wield dangerous and lethal weapons”.

    They, therefore, called on “the Niger Delta states to properly enforce their anti-open grazing laws and protect lives and property.

    They also guaranteed confidence in the people to access their farms and make a living without fear and apprehension, especially because lost lives are irreplaceable.”

    These remarks are contained in a communique issued on Wednesday by the National President of the INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba.

    The communique was signed after a one-day joint leadership meeting of the INC and the IYC held at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

    “These herdsmen have carried out gruesome killings of our brothers and sisters in their communities and farmlands across Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Ondo States, among others.

    “The gory tales of the barbaric and dastardly acts of these agents of provocation have headlined reports, especially in the past couple of years,” he said.

    Among INC national officials in attendance were Atamuno Atamuno, First Vice President; Ebipamowei Wodu, Secretary; Philip Agu, Treasurer; and Kenneth Odiowei, Financial Secretary.

    Also, IYC officers in attendance included Frank Pukon, National Secretary; Ebilade Ekerefe, National Spokesman; Clever Inodu, Central Zonal Chairman; Kroma Eleki, Deputy Chairman, Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE); Austin Enekorogha, Secretary; Gabriel Benamaisia, Clerk, National Representative Council (NRC); and Princess Ebiseri A. J, Deputy Leader, NRC.

    Okaba recalled a recent incident on January 24, when some suspected armed herdsmen were reported to have brutally murdered a father and his son at their farm in Toru-Angiama in the Patani Local Government Area of Delta State.

    He said, “On the 25th of January 2023, a woman was butchered in her farm at Sabagriea community in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State.

    “Also in Bayelsa, suspected herdsmen, in February 2021, attacked a farmer and his son on their farm in Otuoke community, Ogbia LGA.

    “The incessant violent invasions and attacks are designed to annex and control spaces and lands by these herdsmen and their masters with the sinister plot to subjugate Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta.

    “We strongly condemn in its entirety, all clandestine attempts laced with terrorist agenda by herdsmen and their masters to take over the bushes of Ijaw nation.

    “We are resolved to resist any attempts by strange elements to terrorize and chase away Ijaw people from their ancestral lands and heritage.

    “We support all anti-open grazing laws duly enacted by the Houses of Assembly of Niger Delta states and assented to by their Governors to promote peace and sustainable development.”

  • SAD! Benue boils again as alleged herdsmen wipe out family of six, others

    SAD! Benue boils again as alleged herdsmen wipe out family of six, others

    Again, suspected fulani bandits attacked Abagana community opposite the IDP camp in Makurdi, the Benue State capital wiping out an entire family of six and several indigenes.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a statement issued and signed by Nathaniel Ikyur
    Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom on Friday.

    Abagana is a sprawling community in Makurdi, the State capital of Benue State along Makurdi-Abuja road housing thousands of people displaced from their ancestral lands and are living in the IDP camp set up by the State Government.

    The bandits who did not even come with herds of cattle were armed to the teeth killed several other persons in sight leaving trails of blood.

    So far, eight corpses including women and children have been recovered while several others seriously injured were evacuated to hospital for treatment.

    Some of the bodies were beheaded and their heads taken away by the bandits.

    Special Adviser on Security Mattters to the Benue State Governor, Lt. Col Paul Hemba, rtd who confirmed this said security personnel and other villagers have been combing the bushes for more victims who were said to have been shot by the invaders.

    He said the attack was unprovoked as the villagers were already set to go to bed when they met their untimely deaths in the hands of the Fulani bandits.

    According to the Security Adviser, the casualty figure may likely rise as some other persons who were fatally shot and wounded may not survive the injuries in their chest.

    The Security Adviser gave the names of those killed as Gbashaor Acho, Gbashaor Joseph, Anshe Dekera, Ancho Kpor, Eunice Gbashaor, Sewuese Gbashaor, Terlumun Ajoh, Emberga Gbashaor and Donald Gbashaor.

    He further disclosed that two of those killed were IDPs while the bandits stole two motorcycles belonging to the villagers.

  • FG reacts over suspected herdsmen attack of Edo train station

    FG reacts over suspected herdsmen attack of Edo train station

    The Federal Government has described the kidnapping of train passengers at Tom Ikimi Train Station,  Igueben in Edo as despicable and utterly barbaric.

    The Director of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Transportation, Mr Henshaw Ogubike,  said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    ”The Public is hereby reassured that the security agencies are making efforts to rescue the kidnapped train passengers.

    ”The Nigeria Police is on the trail of the criminals and have mobilised with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.

    ”The government is saddened by this unpleasant development and assures on its prompt response to the ugly situation.

    ”Further details will be communicated later, ” Ogubike stated.

    Suspected herdsmen armed with AK 47 riffles attacked the train station at Igueben on Saturday as confirmed by the Edo State Police Command and kidnapped some passengers waiting to board the train to Warri.

  • JUST IN: Alleged armed herders invade Train Station in Edo, abduct many

    JUST IN: Alleged armed herders invade Train Station in Edo, abduct many

    Alleged armed herdsmen on Saturday evening, reportedly invaded the train station in Igueben, headquarters of Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State and kidnapped passengers waiting to board train to Warri, Delta State.

    This was contained in a statement by Edo State Police Command Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, on Saturday night said the suspected herdsmen invaded the train station, shot sporadically into the air with AK-47 before kidnapping unspecified number of persons while some were left with bullet injuries.

    Nwabuzor, however, in the statement ɗisclosed that men of the Command alongside Personnel of Edo State Security Network had visited scene of the crime, adding that bush combing had commenced with a view to rescuing the victims.

    The statement reads: “This is to inform the gentlemen of the press that today, 7th of January, 2023 at about 1600hrs, unspecified number of Herdsmen armed with AK 47 riffles attacked the train station at Igueben, Edo State and kidnapped unspecified number of passengers who were waiting to board the train to Warri.

    “The kidnappers who shot sporadically into the air before kidnapping some passengers left some persons with bullet wounds.

    “The Area Commander Irrua, DPO Igueben Division, and men have visited the scene of crime with members of Edo State Security Network, local vigilante, and hunter with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.

    “Bush Combing operations have commenced in order to rescue the victims and arrest the fleeing kidnappers. Further development will be communicated.”

    Details later…

  • Just In: Many feared dead as alleged herders invade Enugu community again

    Just In: Many feared dead as alleged herders invade Enugu community again

    A group suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and collaborators from Agala community in Benue State on Sunday attacked Ebor community in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo local government area of Enugu State.

    The number of people that were killed during the latest attack cannot be readily ascertained.

    The attack comes barely eight days after assailants attacked the community and killed 25 people at the last count. The attack forced residents of Mgbuji, Umujiovu and Ebor communities to flee their homes.

    Subsequently, businesses were forced to shut down in Eha-Amufu, the third largest town in Enugu.

    A security source lamented Sunday’s attack and the negligence of the state government to tackle the problem once and for all.

    The source said: “These assailants have sacked over 40 villages and settlements. Now they are attacking the hometowns. This is the harvesting period and people have been forced out of their homes and communities and the government is paying lip service to this. These people are coming from communities in Benue State and the government is aware of it.

    “The invaders who outnumbered the soldiers and vigilantes, launched another attack on Ebor community this early Sunday morning. I have seen bodies of less than 10 but I can’t give a specific figure right now.

    “We are still in the bushes combing and searching for more people killed. What is happening here is unfortunate. It is exactly what they did to Benue State people. Probably they want to create a vast land joining Benue communities they had already sacked and call it their own land.”

    “From the report I received, the armed herdsmen and their collaborators from Benue State communities launched the attack around 5:30 am to 6 am this morning. Before we got there, several people had been killed. We are few soldiers here and where we are based is a little bit far from the communities. There are no other security operatives from other security agencies here in Eha-Amufu except local vigilantes. They (vigilantes) first engaged them but the invading armed herdsmen outnumbered them,” the source added.

    A community leader, who gave his name as Ogbuabor Samuel, confirmed the attack.

    “As I am speaking to you, the invading armed herdsmen are still shooting. Several people have been killed. At least, we have recovered the bodies of 10 people killed. The chairman of Isi-Uzo local government is playing politics with our lives. He didn’t want to tell the governor the true facts of what is happening in these communities. He is not supporting the local vigilantes and other local security.

    “A few weeks ago, he dissolved all the local vigilantes formed by Eha-Amufu communities yet he hardly visits the affected communities. We need the government to declare a state of emergency on security in Eha-Amufu – especially in Ebor, Umujiovu, Mgbuji and Agu-Amede communities. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi should do something drastic. His government should stop politicising the situation in our place.

    “They should stop fabricating stories that our people are collaborators. That is a fallacy and it diverts attention from the real issues. Agala people in Benue State have joined forces with armed Fulani herdsmen to continue to kill and destroy our people. That is the situation. Since these recent attacks started in October, we haven’t seen policemen here. You can only see the police if their commissioner is coming to witness the destruction and go back to Enugu to dish out false narratives. “Where are the tactical squads and operational assets of the police he told Nigerians through the media that he had deployed?

    “We want to know, who are the security agencies in Enugu State protecting their interest? Could it be that the security chiefs in Enugu State are in the state to give cover to armed herdsmen?”

    Meanwhile, the state police command has confirmed the recent attack but did not give the casualty figure.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, told journalists in Enugu that the “sketchy report at my disposal shows that there was an attack”.

    “But the assailants were repelled by a joint police and army team that is currently trailing them,” he added.

  • ‘I battle Fulani herdsmen every year’ – Babachir Lawal gives reason for not supporting Atiku

    ‘I battle Fulani herdsmen every year’ – Babachir Lawal gives reason for not supporting Atiku

    A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Babachir Lawal, has revealed why he will never support the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    Lawal reveals he battles with Fulani herdsmen every year after their animals invade his farms and eat up his crops.

    He also claimed that Atiku’s Presidential ambition would not fly because it will amount to the transition of government from one Muslim Fulani president to another Muslim Fulani president and would be the worst form of Muslim-Muslim ticket.

    The reaction of the former SGF was provoked by trending news that he has abandoned Peter Obi to work for Atiku.

    In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Babachir Lawal dismissed the news insisting that he would not support any Fulani person that may undermine Nigeria’s unity through religion or ethnicity.

    The statement reads in part “I have just seen a trending news that I have abandoned Peter Obi to work for Atiku Abubakar.

    There is nothing far from the truth as this. I have never contemplated joining PDP since its formation as I view the PDP as the worst form of a collection of oligarchs and reactionaries.

    “Besides, I find myself every year battling Fulani herdsmen determined to have their animals invade my farms and eat up my crops every year. This is aside from their determination to take over the ancestral farmlands of my kinsmen as they do everywhere in the North. All these they do in a cavalier manner while their elite kinsmen dominant in the government keep mute.

    “Moreover, I view a transition of government from one Muslim Fulani President to another as the worst form of Muslim-Muslim ticket. It also represents ethnic domination by one ethnic group over others. I remain a Peter Obi diehard. Any news to the contrary is fake news.”