TheNewsGuru

Tag: Herdsmen

  • Benue mourns as herdsmen kill two Reverend fathers, 13 others [Video/Photos]

    The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has confirmed the killing of two of its priests, Rev Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, in an early hour attack on St Ignatius Quasi Parish, Ukpor, Mbalom in Gwer West Local Government Council of Benue.

    A statement by its Director of Communications, Rev Fr Moses Iorapuu, said that the attacks were perpetrated by herdsmen who stormed the Mbalom community and killed the two priests during the morning mass at the church.

    The Diocese expressed regret at the nonchalant attitude of the security agencies in containing the killings.

    It said the herdsmen, who stormed the community, burnt down houses, destroyed crops and killed people.

    The church, therefore, urged the relevant authorities to stop the killings in the Benue valley.

    Iorapuu said the Diocese had been active in providing food and relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) since the onset of hostilities in the state and wondered why it could be marked as a target of attacks.

    “The attacks on the priests is an attack on everything that we ever stood for and believed in.”

    Meanwhile, concerted efforts to get reaction from the Benue Police Command failed as its Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Yamu, was not forthcoming with remarks.

  • BREAKING: Herdsmen invade Catholic Church in Benue, kill 15

    BREAKING: Herdsmen invade Catholic Church in Benue, kill 15

    There was pandemonium again in Benue as suspected herdsmen stormed a Catholic Church in Benue on Tuesday morning killing at least 15 people.

    The attack occurred in Ayar-Mbalom, a community in Gwer East Local Government Area.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that two reverend fathers were murdered in the attack.

    Spokesperson to Governor Samuel Ortom, Terver Akase, while confirming the incident said the attackers also burnt over 50 houses and sacked the entire community.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the name of the church is St. Ignatius’ Catholic Church. The murdered Catholic priests are Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, both reverend fathers.

    Fatai Owoseni, the Benue police commissioner, and Moses Yamu, the command’s spokesperson were however yet to confirm the attack.

    The attack comes barely four days after the murder of 10 persons by herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area, which has been one of the major scenes of carnage by suspects herdsmen since January 1.

    Detail later…

  • ‘Herdsmen attacks will plunge Nigeria into major food crisis’ Soyinka warns

    ‘Herdsmen attacks will plunge Nigeria into major food crisis’ Soyinka warns

    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 .

  • 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.

     

  • JUST IN: Obaseki places 90-day total ban on grazing

    JUST IN: Obaseki places 90-day total ban on grazing

    As an interim measure to forestall further killings and destruction of property, Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has placed a 90- day total ban on grazing in Odighi, Odiguetue communities and environs.

    Obaseki announced the ban during a meeting with members of Odighi, Owan and Odigwuetue communities at the palace of the Enogie of Odighi Community in Ovia North East Local Government Council of the state.

    The governor said the ban became necessary to stop further killings as the duty of his administration is to protect lives and property of the people of the state.

    “We have set up a special taskforce made up of the Army, Police, State Security Service, hunters and vigilante groups to comb the bushes and dislodge squatter camps of killer herdsmen and ensure no grazing takes place in Odighi, Odiguetue communities and environs”.

    He added that within two weeks, the taskforce will go round the affected communities to get information that will help dislodge the criminals who pose as herdsmen in the forest.

    Obaseki noted that “before now fulani herdsmen were known for carrying sticks around to control their cattle” and lamented that “today some of them have become criminals.”

    He said there is need to separate herdsmen from cattle rustlers who steal cattle, invade farms, rape and kill people, and assured that efforts are being made to identify the real herdsmen in the state.

    Obaseki said his administration is set to scale up agricultural activities in Odighi Community which was once known as the food basket of the state, and pledged to fix the water system in the area and re-construct the old roads in the community to open up the area for development.

    “We have taken the designs of the old roads in these areas and in two weeks’ time we will start the re-construction of the roads. Tomorrow, government officials will be here to check the water system in the communities and fix it so that the people will have access to potable water.

    A resident of Odighi Community, Uyiosa Okundia, said the people lived together peacefully with herdsmen until they started invading their farms with their cattle and eating their crops, killing their men and raping their women.

    Ebohon Pius from Odigwuetue community said the only source of water in the community has been taken over by herdsmen as they now buy water and food to feed their family because they cannot farm anymore.

    “We now have kidnappers, robbers and criminals in our community who operate under the cover of herdsmen”.

    Earlier, the governor worshiped at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Odighi, where he assured the vicar of the church Rev. Canon David Obakozuwa-Edokpolor, the members and people of the community of the readiness of his administration to restore order and peace in the communities.

     

  • Again, herdsmen invade Taraba community, kill five

    Again, herdsmen invade Taraba community, kill five

    Tragedy struck again on Thursday in Taraba State as armed herdsmen invade Donga Local Government Area of the state killing five people.

    The Thursday’s attack came less than 12 hours after armed herdsmen attacked and wiped out a family of four in neighbouring Takum, the hometown of a former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, in the state.

    An eyewitness, Mr. Henry Ianna, told our correspondent on the phone that the attackers, numbering over 30, invaded Utile community along Donga-Isha Road, and killed five persons.

    “The attackers came in the early hours of today (Thursday) when people were still asleep and started shooting.

    “The attacks have now spread to Shaakaa village and so far; five corpses have been recovered and the attacks are still ongoing as we speak.

    “The casualty figure may rise as shooting are still going on. The areas under attack are still volatile, so we could not go into other places for fear of being attacked and you know the attacks began in the night when people were still asleep; so, there is a tendency that more bodies would be recovered,” he said.

    Ianna added that hundreds of people were fleeing the troubled spots to Donga, the headquarters of the local government for safety.

    The Chairman of Donga Local Government Area, Nashuka Ipeyen, confirmed the attack.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, David Missal said he was yet to be briefed on the attacks but promised to get back to our correspondent, but had not done so as of the time of filing this report.

    These renewed attacks in Taraba are happening despite the presence of Army personnel who are in the state on Operation Ayem Akpatuma to recover illegal arms and stem the incessant herdsmen and farmer’s clashes.

    Recall that two weeks ago, Danjuma had, during the maiden convocation of the Taraba State University, accused the Armed Forces of colluding with the armed herdsmen to kill Nigerians, urging the people to rise up and defend themselves.

     

  • Herdsmen menace: FG begins process to rebuild ravaged communities

    Herdsmen menace: FG begins process to rebuild ravaged communities

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to commence an assessment of the extent of damage in communities affected by violence caused by herdsmen-farmers clashes in some parts of the country.

    This was stated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo today during the inaugural meeting of the recently composed Governing Council of NEMA at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    “Mr. President has directed that we do a survey and assessment on the damage done to towns cities, communities that have been affected by violence in some parts of the country, including the farmers-herders clashes. NEMA will play a leading role in this and the Presidency will also provide direct support.

    “We will involve the people in the affected communities, and not just bring people from outside these communities, in the rebuilding efforts. We will involve people in these villages, artisans and other people in the communities, with required skills so that they can also benefit economically as we rebuild these communities,” Prof. Osinbajo said.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that at the monthly meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) on February 15, Prof. Osinbajo informed the Council that President Buhari had approved the formation of a national Committee to look into the rebuilding of communities affected by the violence in the affected states.

    This is in line with the Buhari administration’s commitment towards finding permanent solutions to the herdsmen-farmers clashes in some parts of the country, and ensuring the peace.

    During today’s inaugural meeting, the Vice President, who is the chairman of the Governing Council, congratulated the new members and expressed the hope that the board would continue to be committed to the task ahead, adding that NEMA has been very visible in its role.

    “NEMA has been taking on assignments even beyond its mandate. This is a responsibility that we must take seriously,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru reports the Vice President further urged the agency to devote more to public sensitization regarding matters of emergency in the country and what the public needs to do in such circumstances.

    Prof. Osinbajo added that NEMA should engage stakeholders more to participate in addressing its responsibilities, including the private sector and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

    Members of the board include the Director-General, NEMA; the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF; representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Water Resources. Other members include representatives of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force.

    At the meeting, the Director-General, NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, made a presentation on the work, role and challenges of the agency.

    Meanwhile, the Vice President also today received a delegation from Oxford Business Network for Africa from the Oxford Business School, London, United Kingdom, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Led by Mr. Bayo Owolabi, the delegation thanked the Vice President for his role in Nigeria’s improved ranking in the World Bank Doing Business report, while also commending the Federal Government for its efforts in improving the country’s economy generally, supporting the establishment of technology hubs in the country, among other socio-economic development initiatives.

     

  • 750 Cattle rustlers, Kidnappers renounce violence in Kaduna

    A total of 750 criminals, including cattle rustlers, bandits and kidnappers have sworn to an oath to abandon their illegal activities in Anchau village, Kubau Local Government area of Kaduna State.

    400 of the repentant criminals swore by the Holy Qur’an three weeks ago while another batch of 350 took the oath on Saturday to abandon their criminal way of life.

    Mr Austin Iwar, the Commissioner of Police told newsmen on Sunday that the criminals were made to repent after intensive dialogue involving community leaders.

    According to him, the repentant criminals took advantage of the window of opportunity opened by the government and the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris.

    He said that as part of the programme, those who renounced violence would also handover their weapons to government.

    The police commissioner, however, said that the recovery of arms would not be made public, so as to build trust and encourage other criminals operating in the state to also repent.

    “I assure you very soon we will begin to recover most of these arms, as some of them have volunteered to handover their arms back, but not in public.”

    He said that the repentant criminals were using the deep forests in the area as hideout, from where they terrorise communities.

    “One of the strategies we decided to adopt is to see how we can get across to some communities leaders in the context of community policing programme we are doing.

    “If you want to solve a problem you have to work with people that created the problem; we also held series of meetings with hunters as prelude to the series of activities we call Renouncing Violence Strategies.”

    Iwar described the event as very important to the efforts being made to restore peace and stability in the state.

    “Having young people that are roaming in the bush committing all forms of crimes to come out and renounce violence, swear by Holy Qur’an that they will not go back to violence again is very important.

    “You will understand that it is a very difficult decision for a criminal to come out in public and announce the atrocities he has been doing.”

    Head of Anchau Vigilante Service, Malam Audu Sallau commended the security operatives for their total support to the programme.

    Sallau said, “none of the repentant criminals was forced to do so, they voluntarily saw reason to renounce violence, and since the commencement of the programme our communities are now relatively peaceful.”

     

  • BREAKING: Gunmen invade Zamfara community, kill 15 herdsmen

    There was pandemonium on Thursday as gunmen believed to be cattle thieves Invaded Zamfara communities killing 15 herders in a renewed violence.

    “Armed bandits attacked Bawon-Daji village yesterday and killed 15 people,” the police spokesman for Zamfara state, Muhammad Shehu, said confirming the development.

    His account was corroborated by a senior local government official, Gado Anka.

    Anka said motorcycle-riding gunmen stormed the remote village in Anka district around 1:00 pm (1200GMT), shooting dead 12 residents before fleeing to a hideout in the bush.

    “They returned two hours later and attacked mourners during the funeral of the victims in the cemetery, killing three more and injuring several others,” he said.

    Rural communuties in the agrarian state are under siege from gangs who kill, loot and torching homes.

    This has prompted villages to form vigilante groups — which in turn are often accused of extra-judicial killings of suspected cattle thieves, prompting deadly reprisals by the gangs.

    It was not clear if the latest killings were as a result of reprisals.

    In February, dozens of people were killed when gunmen opened fire on traders and villagers at Birane, in the Zurmi area of the state.

  • Herdsmen: Danjuma right on call for self-defence – Falana

    Lawyer cum human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN) has said the recent advice by the former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd) calling on Nigerians to pick up arms for their self defense against killer herdsmen in the country was in order.

    Falana said the Constitution recognises the right to protect one’s self from violent attack.

    He stated these at a training programme on libel organised by the Vintage Press Limited (publishers of The Nation Newspapers) for its reporters.

    The lawyer, who noted that the media has been awash with suggestions that Danjuma’s comments are call to anarchy, said the retired army officer could sue critics of his statement for libel.

    He said: “Some of the reactions on Danjuma’s statement could be libelous. What Danjuma said is accommodated under our Constitution.”

    Falana observed that although Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution recognises the right to life, such right might be lawfully circumscribed in accordance with Section 33(2).

    He added: “Section 33(2) says a person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life if he dies as a result of the use, to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably necessary – for the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property.

    “If the government is unable to save you as in the case of Benue, Kogi and Zamfara attacks, you have a right to defend and save yourself.

    “So, if you insult Danjuma that he is inciting violence, that could be a ground for him to sue you for libel.”