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Tag: Herdsmen

  • FG, Military and Herdsmen attack: our side of the story – Taraba Gov

    FG, Military and Herdsmen attack: our side of the story – Taraba Gov

    The Taraba State Government on Tuesday came out with their side of the story in the raging controversy that followed the call by former chief of army staff, General TY Danjuma on Nigerians to defend themselves against the rampaging herdsmen.

    General Danjuma accused the military of having an unholy alliance with the herdsmen.

    Darius Ishaku, the Taraba state governor, while reacting to Nigerian Army statement absolving itself of blame in the conflicts, insisted that the Federal Government and the Nigerian military were duly informed of impending dangers that led to the wanton destruction of lives and properties in the state recently.

    This governor’s position was revealed in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bala Abu. Abu in the letter cited few instances that the Federal Government and the military were informed about security breach and soldiers’ misconduct, which were allegedly ignored.

    The state government’s statement was in reaction to the claim made by the Federal Government on Monday that although it got reports of soldiers’ misconduct, there was none from Taraba State.

    Col. Tukur Gusau, the spokesperson for the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, who spoke in an interview with The Punch had alleged that while the military received distress messages from other states, none came from Taraba. In his words: “Nigerians have been coming to report incidents and we have been taking care of them… Soldiers have been put through disciplinary procedures.

    “We have not received anything yet from Taraba State. We need to work on specific things. To my knowledge, we didn’t receive anything in respect of our operations in Taraba State.”

    But the Taraba State Government, in its reaction, warned that thousands of people might still be killed by herdsmen unless the military turned a new leaf.

    It said, “The case against the military in Taraba is that of outright collusion against the people which has made it easy for the Fulani militia to kill and destroy property. It is also a case of disrespect for the Office of the Governor of Taraba State.”

    Abu in the statement explained that in February 2016, the Ministry of Interior influenced the visit of military investigators to investigate an allegation against a monarch in the state, Dr. Shekarau Masa-Ibi.

    He stated that the military delegation “had no courtesy to inform the state governor” on the visit and purpose of the visit

    “The Taraba State Government protested this obvious act of disrespect… in a letter to the Chief of Army Staff, dated February 23, 2016,” he added.

    Abu noted that the state Governor, Darius Ishaku, also wrote the President on January 26, 2016, to complain about threat to peace and security in Taraba State.

    “In that letter signed by Governor Ishaku himself, he lamented the devastating effects of internal conflicts involving the Fulani and Tiv, which led to the sacking of 200 settlements in the Gassol, Bali, Ibi, Donga and Gashaka local government areas by herdsmen.

    “The governor informed the presidency about the concerns raised by some traditional rulers in the state concerning the influx of Fulani militia and about the attacks on their communities. Letters of complaints from the traditional rulers whose communities suffered from these attacks were also attached and forwarded to the presidency… Copies of this letter were sent to the National Security Adviser, Chief of Staff to the President and the Inspector-General of Police,” he added.

    According to Abu, Ishaku wrote another letter to the then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on July 5, 2017, drawing his attention to “the precarious security situation as contained in a letter written by contractors handling the Kashimbilla Dam project and called for high level intervention. He called on the army, the Navy and Air Force to establish permanent security bases in the area. This was again ignored.”

    The Taraba State Government said it reported the misconduct of the Commanding Officer of 93 Battallion, Ada Barracks in Takum on several occasions, but no action was taken against him by the military.

    “For example, the Fulani militia attacked communities in Takum and Ussa on May 6, 2017. The crisis led to the abandonment of 224 cattle belonging to the Fulani herdsmen.

    “The Taraba State Government took possession of these cows and handed them over to the Commanding Officer for safe keeping until the owners return to collect. This was meant to be a ploy to get the perpetrators of the crisis arrested. Sadly, the Commanding Officer released the cows without arresting anybody.

    “There was another case when the commanding officer marched soldiers to attack and brutalise communities in Kashimbilla. Property of the people was damaged while many were injured.

    “The letter said the Commanding Officer was partial and discriminatory in the discharge of his duties and requested that he should be transferred. The advice was ignored,” the statement said.

    The governor’s spokesman said Ishaku had always raised the alarm on security situations in the state, but was always ignored.

    He said, “On January 30, this year, The governor wrote another letter to the Vice President to again complain about the attitude of the Commanding Officer of 93 Battalion, Takum, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Gambari, whose soldiers always looked the other way when the herdsmen militia come to kill.

    “The governor said the security situation in the country and in Taraba State demanded that every security officer cooperate and take directives from the chief security officer of the state which is the governor, but lamented that this has not been the case with the commanding officer.

    “The letter listed instances of security challenges in which the military failed to live up to expectations.

    “The letter also alerted the military authorities to a planned massive movement of Fulani and their cows into Takum LGA, adding that motive was to provoke the people and precipitate crisis. The military in-charge of security in the area did nothing.

    “The widely publicised report on social media and which was investigated and confirmed to the effect that a chopper dropped arms in a village near Wukari was downplayed by the security agencies.

    “Despite efforts by the Taraba State Government to get the military to act, they never did. Since then, the arms and ammunition brought into the state have been used against the people in various communities in the state by the herdsmen.

    “The present Operation Ayem Akpatuma in the state has also been discriminatory. While cutlasses and knives have been taken away from the people, the herdsmen have been left with AK-47 rifles.

    “Through these various acts of deliberate mischief on the part of the military thousands of people have been killed and a lot more may be killed unless the military turns a new leaf.”

     

  • Again, herdsmen kill five in renewed attacks in Benue

    Again, herdsmen kill five in renewed attacks in Benue

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

  • Herdsmen attack Benue community, scores Killed

    Several persons have been feared killed after suspected herdsmen attacked Branch Umenger in Guma LGA of Benue State.

    The marauding herders were said to have killed scores, including children, during the attack that occurred on Thursday afternoon.

    The suspects, as reported by Daily Post, killed one James Apav and Ataki Mageri, amongst several others while razing Tse Sameka village.

    “Several persons have deserted their homes for fear of being killed by the heavily armed herdsmen,” the report quoted a witness as saying.

  • Herdsmen invade Kogi community, kill traditional ruler, wife, nine others

    Herdsmen invade Kogi community, kill traditional ruler, wife, nine others

    There was pandemonium on Monday in Kogi as suspected herdsmen in separate attacks on Agbenema, Aj’Ichekpa, Opada and Iyade villages killed ten persons, including a traditional ruler, the Onu Agbenema, Musa Edibo; his wife while several houses were also burnt down.

    Agbenema is in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    The attackers who were allegedly armed with sophisticated weapons hid in the bushes around these villages from were they reportedly launched deadly attacks on their targets.

    According to the natives, the herdsmen whose mode of operation is to set the houses ablaze and open fire on the fleeing inhabitants, allegedly slit victims’ throats and cut off their vital parts.

    The natives who would not want their names in print stated that the administrator of Omala LGA, Ibrahim Aboh, was lucky to have escaped from the attackers.

    Also, the houses of former chairman, Adofu Stephen; and that of his parents were burnt.

    Residents said soldiers who were drafted to curtail the herdsmen’s rampage allegedly refused to assist them to repel the suspected herdsmen.

    “We were surprised when we approached the soldiers who were stationed at the Guest House at Abejukolo for assistance.

    “They refused to act professionally, as they used their vehicle to block us from advancing to the troubled spot to help our people.

    “They have razed down Ojuwo Ajomayeigbi, Iyade, Agbenema and Opada villages.

    “We want the world to come to our assistance before they exterminate and inherit our land.”

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command said he was yet to be briefed by the DPO in Omala.

    He promised to get back with details.

  • Soldiers kill four, arrest 18 suspected herdsmen in Benue

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 18 herdsmen in the Kwata Sule, Mbayer, Yandev and Kaambee areas of Benue State, who were caught grazing their cows on farmlands, an act which is against the state’s anti-open grazing law.

    TheNewsGuru.com learnt that the troops attached to the 707 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, while on patrol on Saturday in the area, nabbed six herdsmen in Kwata Sule, while 12 others were arrested in Mbayer, Yandev and Kaambee areas for “destructive activities.”

    The herdsmen were reportedly handed over to the police for prosecution.

    According to the army, the troops, also in Chembe, Tse-Gundu, Tse-Iordye and Sbaor areas of the state, recovered two motorcycles, and 7.62mm special ammunition from two fleeing herdsmen.

    Meanwhile, in Bauchi State, troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, in the ongoing Operation Lafiya Dole on Saturday also encountered some members of a militia group at the Burra Junction in the Ningi Local Government Area of the state.

    The militiamen reportedly opened fire on the troops and at the end of the gun battle, four militiamen were killed, while the troops recovered five dane guns, 38 motorcycles and nine bicycles.

    Also, nine militiamen were arrested, while a soldier, who sustained gunshot injuries, had been evacuated to a hospital and receiving treatment.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, who confirmed the arrest of the herdsmen, said the troops were in pursuit of the fleeing herdsmen and militiamen.

    Chukwu said, “Troops have arrested six herdsmen in Kwata Sule, caught in the act of farmland destruction. Also, the troops apprehended 12 herdsmen in Mbayer and Yandev areas during the Presidential Assessment Team’s visit to the area. Two motorcycles were recovered from the herdsmen.

    “After the initial interrogation, the suspects were handed over to the police for further action.

    “Similarly, troops on patrol in the general areas of Chembe, Tse-Gundu, Tse-Iordye and Sbaor settlements sighted two herdsmen. They abandoned their motorcycle and fled. During the search of the general area, one round of 7.62mm special was discovered. We will continue to dominate the general area with patrols.”

  • SERAP asks UN to declare killer herdsmen terrorists

    SERAP asks UN to declare killer herdsmen terrorists

    Nigeria’s human rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to the UN Security Council and its members demanding that they appeal to the government to end killings and destruction of property by suspected herdsmen across Nigeria.

    The organisation urged the council members to visit Nigeria for an on-the-spot assessment.

    The organisation also asked the Council to: “treat the atrocities by herdsmen as terrorist acts, in line with the UN Security Council resolution 2349 (2017), which addresses Boko Haram’s presence in the Lake Chad Basin and calls on all states to combat all forms and manifestations of terrorism.

    “Declaring attacks by herdsmen as terrorist acts would help wake up the authorities to seriously address the threats posed by herdsmen and combat the crimes against humanity being committed against Nigerians.”

    In the letter dated 16 March 2018 and signed by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale, the organisation expressed “serious concern that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is failing to uphold its responsibility to protect the citizens from increasing atrocities by the herdsmen.

    SERAP says the continuous atrocities would pose serious threat to regional peace and security, and by extension, international peace and security.

    “The Security Council must act now to protect Nigerians, including women and children, if the Council is not to be accused of failing the people of Nigeria.”

    SERAP said: “The attacks by herdsmen have uprooted families, destroyed communities’ socio-economic activities, and taken away their livelihoods and common heritage. These attacks undermine the very purposes and principles of the UN Charter. If not urgently combatted, such attacks may rise to the level of threat to international peace and security.

    SERAP notes that the first ‘purpose’ listed for the UN is to maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace.”

    “SERAP urges the Security Council and its members to publicly condemn these terrorist attacks, express concern about the protection of Nigerians and communities affected by the violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and press the authorities to put in place special mechanisms for bringing those suspected to be responsible to justice, and victims to receive redress, including adequate compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.”

    “The Security Council and its members should reaffirm that terrorism of all forms and manifestations, such as the growing attacks by herdsmen in Nigeria, are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations. They should also recognise that security, development and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing and are vital to an effective and comprehensive approach to countering all forms of terrorism in Nigeria.”

    “The Security Council and its members should adopt a resolution to: Characterise killings by herdsmen as terrorist acts and mobilise international support for Nigeria to combat these attacks, including for the authorities to adopt and implement measures to tackle the causes and consequences of these attacks and end all forms of terrorism in the country.”

    “The resolution should also call on the UN Secretary-General to carry out a joint visit to Nigeria with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and the African Union Peace and Security Council to investigate allegations of killings by herdsmen and to better understand the root causes of these killings and put pressure on the Nigerian authorities to end them.”

  • Five killed as herdsmen attack Edo

    Five people have been reportedly killed by suspected herdsmen in two separate attacks in Esan South East and Ovia North East local government areas of Edo State.

    Several people were also said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries in both attacks.

    The incident at Esan South East local government area was said to have occured along Ugboha-Amedokhan road on Saturday while people were returning from the the Ugboha market to their respective homes.

    The assailants allegedly barricaded the road with cows and shot sporadically and in the process killed three people.

    A source in the area who spoke in confidence said the incident has generated tension in the community.

    “People were returning from the market when the incident happened. Three people were said to have been killed during the attack,” he said.

    In the incident at Ovia North East local government, the herdsmen were alleged to have attacked Odiguetue village and killed two people.

    When contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relation Officers, DSP. Chidi Unwanbuzor, denied knowledge of both attacks.

    “We have Divisional Police Officer and the Area Commander in those areas and we have not received such information from them. I am not aware of the incidents​,” he said.

  • Herdsmen take over Delta communities, demand payments from farmers

    Herdsmen take over Delta communities, demand payments from farmers

    Fulani herdsmen have invaded and taken over three Delta communities in Ughelli North local government area, according to the State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    Governor Okowa made this known when he played host to Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone 5.

    “There is a particular community in Delta State, at a point in time, we discussed it at security council meeting and just yesterday (Thursday, 15/03/18) while I was in Ughelli North for my regular Town Hall meeting, the people raised a very serious issue about the Uwheru community.

    “It is a very pathetic situation, because the President-General of the community spoke on the fact that out of their seven communities, three of them are actually occupied by the herdsmen and the farmers are told that they must pay the herdsmen before they can enter their farms and that is very disturbing.

    “Because it is strange for indigenes to pay money before they can enter their farms and I believe something has to be done before it evolves into a crisis situation.

    “This has been going on for several years but it has gotten worse of recent, so, AIG, this situation has to be addressed immediately as security issue,” Okowa said.

    He, therefore, called on security agencies to curb activities of herdsmen in the state before it snowballs into crisis.

    Okowa said his administration is concerned about the security of life and property of every Deltan and their communities, stressing that the Police and other security agencies must strive to protect the different communities in the state.

    He lauded the synergy between security agencies in the state which has ensured a peaceful state that has become home for investors.

    “As a people, we know that the more peaceful we are, the more investors will come into the state and in the course of this year, we will witness a lot of ground breaking ceremony as investors are coming to the state in their large numbers.

    “We are doing a lot to provide infrastructure, we are doing a lot to engage our youths, the more youths we engage, the less idle minds we will have in the state,” the governor said.

    He assured the AIG that his administration will continue to support security agencies in the state, saying, “Delta State is largely peaceful, we take matters of security serious, there is a lot of collaborations between different security agencies in Delta State and beyond.

    “We take the issue of information gathering serious as we nip security challenges in the bud, we also, have state advisory and peace building council which is made up of experienced men and women of impeccable character, they also, help to maintain peace in the state.”

    The AIG had earlier told the Governor that he was on a familiarisation tour of Police formations in the state, observing, “your administration has rendered uncountable support to the Police Command in different areas, your support has greatly, enhanced the performance of the Command and we want to thank you and assure you that the Police will ensure an all time peace in the state.”

    TheNewsGuru reports AIG Rasheed Akintunde paid the governor a courtesy visit at the Government House Asaba on Friday.

     

  • Panic as herdsmen invade Kogi communities, kill 25

    There was pandemonium in Kogi State on Thursday as persons suspected to be Fulani herdsmen unleashed terror on three communities in leaving 25 people dead and several injured.

    Oganienugwu and Ikende communities in Dekina Local Government Area were affected; as well as Abejukolo in Omala LGA, all in the Eastern Senatorial district of the state.

    As at the time of filing this report, villagers were reportedly moving out of Obakume, Idirisu, and Oji Apata to escape possible attacks.

    According to eyewitness reports, over 25 people have been killed in the sustained attack which started on Tuesday and continued till Thursday.

    A detachment of police and soldiers have been drafted to quell the violence.

    The mode of killing employed by the hoodlums was to slaughter the victims after tying them up; while those who attempted to escape alleged received machete cuts.

    Sources said villagers were woken up by gunshots by the hoodlums dressed in army uniform.

    It was also gathered that gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles had visited mayhem on the villagers in their farms before returning in the night around 1am while villagers slept.

    Several houses were razed and others demolished in the violent attacks which left no fewer than 25 dead.

    The Deputy Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Monday Bala, who confirmed the incident, said the command was yet to ascertain the actual casualty figure.

    He said the command has drafted men of the command alongside men of the armed forces to deal with the situation, adding that his men are in total control of the situation.

  • Herdsmen attack: Police confirm 4 dead in Ebonyi

    The Ebonyi Police Command on Monday in Abakaliki confirmed a herdsmen attack on the Onunwakpu community of Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi which left four persons dead.

    ASP Loveth Odah, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), told the News Agency of Nigeria that the dead included three natives of the community and a herdsman.

    Odah disclosed that the incident had occurred when one of the victims had gone to tie down his cow inside his farm to feed it in the traditional way.

    She said it was in the process of this that he had encountered herdsmen whose cows were also feeding inside the farm.

    “We cannot ascertain what transpired between him and the herdsmen, but his shouts attracted fellow villagers who rushed to the scene to discover that his two hands had been severed.

    “The ensuing altercation grew in intensity and security agencies immediately intervened to bring to normal the clash which also left many persons wounded.

    “One of the herdsmen has been arrested by army personnel, and we assure the public that modalities would be put in place to ensure that such occurrence does not repeat itself.

    “We call on members of the public not to panic over the incident and advise them not to engage herdsmen in physical fights but instead report disagreements to security agencies,” Odah added.

    A native of the area where the incident occurred, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, also corroborated the account given by the police.

    He told NAN that his kinsman (one of the victims) had gone to feed his cow inside his farm and was attacked by herdsmen.

    “He had to fetch grasses for his cow to feed and was appalled that the herdsmen’s cows were feeding on his crops which he laboured to plant.

    “We heard his shouts and when we rushed to the scene, his two hands had been severed and the clash which resulted in the deaths ensued.

    “This is our land and we are not going to leave it for any group of people, even at the risk of our lives,” the community member said.

    NAN reports that Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi had recently banned cows from feeding on farmlands in the state.

    He had also announced that various forms of punishments await farmers and herdsmen who cause trouble in the state.