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Tag: Herdsmen

  • The Igbo are accommodating and hard working – Ortom

    The Igbo are accommodating and hard working – Ortom

    The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has expressed confidence in the Igbo people, saying they are accommodating and hard-working.

    Ortom, who disclosed in Makurdi, the state capital, on Wednesday when Igbo PDP Forum paid him a courtesy visit, said the South-Easterners are accommodating and hard working.

    According to Ortom, the Igbos are peaceful, stressing that they have the ability to live with other ethnic groups in the country.

    He vowed to continue speaking to authority on the incessant attacks on Benue people by suspected armed herdsmen.

    “The Igbo are accommodating and hard working. They are a group that can live with other ethnic groups and not like those that are killing my people and they want me to keep quiet.

    “I will never keep quiet concerning incessant attacks on my people by herdsmen until the authorities do the right thing. I will continue to speak against injustice,” he said.

  • Herdsmen go ga-ga in Delta pluck out man’s eye

    Herdsmen go ga-ga in Delta pluck out man’s eye

     

    Herdsmen suspected to be jihadists have gone ga-ga as they reportedly opened fire on one Saturday Kesiena Ikoro and his wife Judith, along Jeddo Road, Otokutu, Ughelli south local government area of Delta State.

    Palaver started around about 7.00pm on Sunday 2nd October, 2022, when the couple were going to a domestic cooking gas shop when they were accosted by the suspected herdsmen.

    The victim, Ikoro, a resident of Otokutu Community, lost his left eye to the attackers.

    A reliable source disclosed that Mr Ikoro was shot severally with his wife Judith by the herdsmen.

    Mr Ikoro who sensed danger attempted to escape, his car was shot at severally by the angered suspected herdsmen and in the process, he was said to have lost his left eye to the trigger happy hoodlums.

    Judith luckily escaped the hostility of the herdsmen unhurt.

    The herdsmen were said to have vanished into the bush after the attack.

    Meanwhile, the badly injured Ikoro was said to have been rushed to a private hospital in Warri where he was later taken to University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City for better medical attention owing to the severity of the injury sustained in the unholy attacks.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe confirmed the incident, assuring that “effort is on to arrest the suspects”.

  • Gov. El-Rufai condemns mob-killing of two herdsmen in Kaduna

    Gov. El-Rufai condemns mob-killing of two herdsmen in Kaduna

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned the killing of two herdsmen by a mob in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.

    Samuel Aruwan, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, disclosed that the mob forcefully seized two herders allegedly linked to banditry and killed them.

    “The mob then lynched and burnt the herders, even though they had not been found complicit in the allegations,” he said.

    The governor, he said, strongly expressed concern over the extra-judicial killing of the herders.

    While appealing to families of the victims to remain calm, the governor directed security operatives to embark on a thorough investigation of the matter.

    The Commissioner said, “The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned in the strongest terms the killing of two herders by a mob in Birnin Gwari, LGA.

    “Security agencies reported that the mob forcefully seized the two herders from security personnel, on unsubstantiated claims that they were linked with banditry. The mob then lynched and burnt the herders, even though they had not been found complicit in the allegations.

    “Governor El-Rufai expressed deep concern at the violent actions of the mob, and strongly condemned the extra-judicial killings. He reiterated the place of lawful methods as the only acceptable option in confronting any suspicions of criminality.

    “The Governor appealed to the families of the victims to remain calm, and directed security agencies to conduct thorough investigations towards fishing out the perpetrators.

    “The Governor has also directed the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to liaise with the military, police and DSS to contact the victims’ families for further engagements toward averting counter-attacks.”

    He added, “The Governor cautioned against further actions of self-help, and warned against dangerous stereotyping, labeling and similar lawless dispositions capable of stirring up violence. He renewed appeals for consistent recourse to constituted agencies.

    “Similarly, the government has received reports from security agencies regarding the conduct of some individuals and groups in the general area, who unwittingly complicate the security situation with insensitive public commentaries. Such actions have been judged by security agencies as unhelpful in the ongoing operations against terrorists and bandits.

    “While the government of Kaduna State is not against commentaries on security challenges, the government’s position remains that individuals and groups with useful information should liaise with security agencies, rather than expose citizens to extreme danger through supposed advocacy.

  • President Buhari, terrorism and Nigeria’s real bad news – By Godwin Etakibuebu

    President Buhari, terrorism and Nigeria’s real bad news – By Godwin Etakibuebu

    Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s first appearance on the Nigerian Political radar was in the night of Sunday, December 31, 1983 – his confirmation as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, by his colleagues that gathered at the Bonny Camp Military Base in Victoria Island, actually took place at the wee hour [about 0200 hours of that night], thereby authenticating his date of arrival to Power January 1, 1984.

    He came and appointed Brigadier General Tunde Idiagbon as his Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters – that made Tunde Idiagbon second in command to him in that Military Junta. This appointment was instructive but I am afraid that too many Nigerians did not study to understand the implication of that appointment.

    One, General Tunde Idiagbon; of blessed memory, was not only from Northern Nigeria – same as General Muhammadu Buhari, but the formal was actually from Daura Town; the same town that Muhammadu Buhari comes from. Tuned Idiagbon, of course, was a practicing and devoted Muslim – same as Muhammadu Buhari.

    Unfortunately, his [Buhari] tenure, which he kept strictly to his heart because he never told Nigerians when he would go back to the Barrack or hand over democratically political power back to civilians, was dismantled by another Military officer. The Army officer that caused him that havoc was Major General Ibrahim Bademosi Babangida – a Maradona sort of an officer and a perpetual Coupist for that matter.

    Major General Muhammadu Buhari licked his wounds – that was after spending almost two years in detention; a place the Military would better call “protective custody”, he went home to Daura for a rest first, before starting the course of meditating over how his cookie crumbled.

    It must have been the time of reminiscence that the retired General and former Head of State came to the sad conclusion that his mission and purpose of making incursion into the Nigerian political space during that first journey was not accomplished. That must have decided him to return back to the Nigerian people through the only route available – a route which he unfortunately once destroyed:  Democratic Route.

    And he returned.

    First time; on his return journey, according to the Jagaban of Borgu in Niger State; Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, “oja nune” – meaning he fell down. Ditto the second and third times. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu even told them in Abeokuta that “the man cried bitterly on television” –which was true of course.

    But there is something good in tenacity and perseverance. Buhari kept “coming”, which eventually paid off for him, as the Nigeria people decided at the end to vote for him – more on the technical shrewdness of Bola Tinubu’s intricate political maneuvering than Buhari’s personal acceptability.

    Whichever way, he became a democratically elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He returned back to Nigerians in 2019, for revalidation of the mandate given to him in 2015, and this was quickly authenticated.

    This should be enough as preamble or historical perspective for this exercise – meaning we should be moving to the topic of the day, to wit: PRESIDENT BUHARI, TERRORISM AND NIGERIA’S REAL BAD NEWS.

    This topic is anchored on the three promises which President Buhari and the political platform [APC] that brought him to Power made to Nigerians before being voted for in 2015, albeit Corruption, Insecurity and Economy. Today we shall be taking the discussion on the background of Insecurity exclusively. Let us go.

    As of the time Muhammadu Buhari was sworn-in as President on May 29, 2015, the insurgency we knew in Nigerian was only the Boko Haram issue, and this was limited to the North-East exclusively. But from that year – 2015, to when President Buhari came for revalidation of mandate in 2019, insurgency had added another monster called Fulani herdsmen to its folder. This addition came under the umbrella of Miyetti Allah, and they came fully in the character of terrorists. Permit me to say something here before moving the narration further for purpose of clarity.

    Nigerians have always lived peacefully with the Fulani tribe and their cattle for centuries without much ado. But the definition given to these our brothers, after Buhari’s second coming, was terrifying, to the extent that the Global Terrorism Index classified the Fulani Militant [which the Fulani Herders transformed to] as the Fourth Deadliest Terrorist Group in the whole world

    The Fulani Herdsmen moved from the North-East to the North-West, North-Central and now totally covering the whole country. They came with full capacity of unleashing all manners of atrocities – including kidnapping, maiming and killing, without any challenge from any constituted authority in Nigeria; not even the federal government.

    Worst even, was the unwillingness of the Buhari-led federal government to categorize this people as Terrorist, but instead, remained delighted calling them bandits, unknown gunmen, kidnappers and what have you.

    It was only when Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja Federal High Court gave that audacious judgement, on November 26, 2021, pronouncing them Terrorists that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice “managed” to proscribe them in a belated Gazette.

    Now, as we discuss this topic, the Terrorists; which the Nigerian Government preferred calling Bandits, have brought the whole country totally under submission. The Nigerian Federal Governments, which constitutionally has the exclusive control of security, either refused to protect Nigerians or lacked the power to do so. What Nigerians see on daily basis; which is very abysmal, is a government that is romancing with the terrorists back-to-back, and publicly too.

    In view of the government’s inability to confront the terrorists, the latter have established audacious authority of control across the land, with terrible consequences for Nigeria and Nigerians.

    For example, on March 28, 2022, the terrorist attacked a train, that left Abuja, heading to Kaduna, at Katari town in Kaduna State, killed a few of the passengers before taking greater number of the remaining passengers into captivity. Isn’t this a horror story of how a group of terrorists have subdued Nigeria?

    The federal government, again, either by default or design, could not do anything about the train situation. The only thing that is obvious on this terrifying and gruesome train’s attack remains the fact that the terrorist have so far collected, close to a Billion Naira as ransom for those passengers taken into captivity. More are still there with them in captivity.

    Let us not forget that two days before the train’s attack, the terrorist had invaded the Kaduna International Airport and attacked a plane. They were in full control in that operation as well.

    Then, the same terrorists elongated their audacious character by attacking the Kuje Prison; now called Correctional Centre, on July 12, 2022, despite the fact that intelligence report on the attack was properly documented and presented to the Authority in advance. On that operation the terrorists freed all their commanders; 64 of them, being held at the Prison.

    Having accomplished all these successes, the Terrorists sent another terrifying message to Nigerians, saying they are now ready, if Government fails to meet their demands on the remaining passengers of the Abuja/Kaduna Train, to kidnap President Muhammadu Buhari and the incumbent Governor of Kaduna State – Malam Nasir El Rufai.

    The Terrorists even told the whole world where they would be taking both President Buhari and Governor Nasir El Rufai to, after kidnapping them. We will bring them here, indicating the forest where they are operating from in Zamfara State.  What a tragedy of audacity?

    This is where the Nigerian’s Doomsday story starts from. And what is the doomsday story here?

    More than 6 days after the Nigerian Terrorists announced their plans for the kidnap of the President and the Governor, Muhammadu Buhari did not even know that they were coming to kidnap him. It is the other man scheduled for kidnapping by the Terrorist – Nasir El Rufai that told us that President Buhari did not know.

    Isn’t this – the fact that our President wouldn’t know that he is next to be kidnapped, not a greater calamity for Nigeria and Nigerians?

    N:B

    We are concluding this exercise next week, by the grace of God.

    Godwin Etakibuebu; a veteran Journalist, wrote from Lagos.

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    • You can also listen to this author [Godwin Etakibuebu] every Monday; 9:30 – 11am on Lagos Talk 91.3 FM live, in a weekly review of topical issues, presented by The News Guru [TNG].
  • Suspected herdsmen kidnap Edo APC chairman

    Suspected herdsmen kidnap Edo APC chairman

    Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have kidnapped Godwin Aigbogun, the chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ugu Ward, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

    It was gathered that Aigbogun, 54, was kidnapped on Monday, July 18, at Ologbo-nugu Community on his way from the farm.

    The assailants were said to have stormed out of the bush and forced the victim’s vehicle to a halt at gunpoint and whisked him away to unknown destination.

    Spokesperson of the command, Jennifer Iwegbu, who confirmed the development said that the police has received a report of the kidnap of the APC chieftain from the former Edo State Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Godwin Erhahon of Ologbo-unu village in Orhionmwon LGA.

    Iwegbu said that on receipt of the information, a team of operatives from the command’s cack team, Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit swung into action, mobilised to the scene and embarked on aggressive bush combing with the aim of rescuing the victim unhurt and possible arrest or killing of the suspected kidnappers.

    She added that while the detectives are establishing the location of the kidnappers, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Mr Abutu Yaro enjoined the people to remain calm so that police efforts to rescue the victim and possible arrest of the kidnappers would not be jeopardized.

  • Catholic priests slam Buhari, say you have failed us

    Catholic priests slam Buhari, say you have failed us

    Catholic priests in the country have raised alarm over the growing state of insecurity in the country saying, the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari, has failed in its primary duty of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

    This reaction was informed by the increase cases of kidnapping, robbery and gunmen attack on innocent Nigerians.

    Speaking at the funeral mass and interment held for the priest at the Priests’ Cemetery, Immaculate Conception Seminary, Ivianokpodi-Agenebode in Etsako East LGA, National President of the Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association, NCDPA, Very Rev. Fr. Johnbosco Ezehi, charged President Buhari to take urgent steps to guarantee the safety and security of Nigerians.

    “We condemn the increasing attacks by suspected herdsmen, who have turned the country into a massive graveyard. If the president cannot keep our country safe, then he automatically loses the trust of the citizens. He should no longer continue to preside over the killing field and mass graveyard that our country has become.

    “Nigerians call on the president to take drastic and urgent steps to reverse the ugly tragedy that threatens the foundation of our collective existence and unity as a nation. It’s clear to the nation that the president has failed in his primary duty of protecting the lives of Nigerians”, Ezehi said.

    adding that the president should proffer solution to the increasing spate of killings and kidnappings across the country or step down.

    Meanwhile, worried by the growing level of insecurity in the state with the recent kidnapping and killing of a Reverend Father and a hunter, the acting Governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shaibu, has given marching orders to all traditional rulers across the state to engage local hunters and vigilantes to flush out criminal Fulani herdsmen in all the forests in the state.

    Shaibu, weekend, led other top government functionaries to pay last respect to late Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, who was murdered by suspected kidnappers.

    Odia, a Catholic priest, was murdered by his kidnappers in Ikabigbo, Etsako West LGA of Edo State.

    Shaibu said; “I must agree with our cleric that the government has failed in its responsibility of securing lives and property. If the issue of security was tackled earlier enough, we would not get to where we are today. We must turn to God to help us now as our land is troubled and only God will heal our land.

    “As a state government, we have decided to take our destinies into our hands and not push the blame. We are collaborating with security agencies and stakeholders in securing our state.

    “We have involved religious leaders and vigilante groups, among others and have adequately equipped them to strengthen our security architecture. We want to secure the property and lives of our people.”

    Also, Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most. Rev. Gabriel Dunia, said: “I appeal to the federal, state and local governments, as the Lord has entrusted the leadership and security of Nigeria into their hands, to do the needful by protecting the lives and property of the people which is their primary responsibility.”

    In the meantime, Edo govt tasks traditional rulers
    It was gathered that over 20 forests across the three senatorial zones of the state have been taken over by suspected kidnappers believed to be criminal Fulani herdsmen and their local collaborators.

    Arising from an emergency security meeting, which had traditional rulers, opinion leaders and security agencies, Shuaibu gave the directives.

    Part of the resolution, which was made available to journalists, yesterday, also directed heads of the 18 LGAs in the state to provide stipends and needed resources for the vigilantes and hunters on a monthly basis to comb the forests and flush out the suspected criminals and that traditional rulers would henceforth be held responsible for any act of kidnapping and terrorism that occurs in their domains.

    The resolutions read: “That everybody currently residing in any forest in Edo State in the guise of camping should vacate such areas with immediate effect. The acting governor has mandated all acting LGA heads to use all the security apparatus, including the police, army, vigilante groups, hunters and others to forcefully remove any erring groups or individuals within the next 10 days.

    “That henceforth, any traditional ruler and village head who collects money from any herdsmen, therefore, permitting any form of camping or grazing in any Edo State forest should refund such money and ask the herdsmen to leave with immediate effect.”

    The resolution also said that after, 10 days from the day of the meeting, traditional rulers would be held responsible for kidnappings in their areas.

  • Police urge public to ignore video on blockade of Abuja-Lokoja highway by herdsmen

    The Kogi Police Command has urged the public to ignore a trending video alleging the blockade of the Abuja – Lokoja highway and the kidnapping of passengers by herdsmen.

    The Commissioner of Police, Edward Egbuka, gave the advice on Friday in Lokoja in a statement issued by the command’s image maker, SP William Ovye-Aya.

    Egbuka said: “The attention of the Kogi Police Command has been drawn to the video trending that over 500 buses and passengers are parked long Abuja – Lokoja road due a blockade by herdsmen.

    “It said that the video claims that two trailers of Fulani gunmen barricaded the highway and kidnapped passengers of seven buses into the forest is a false alert.

    “The command wishes to state unequivocally that the statement in the video is not only the figment of the imagination of the author but totally false, malicious and highly mischievous,” the CP said.

    Egbuka said that the author ought to have mentioned the specific location where the purported incident happened, rather than being vague.

    According to him, “no indication of when the said incident occurred because as of this moment, no Situation Report has been received from Area Commanders, DPOs, Tactical Commanders, other security agencies, on such incident in the state.”

    “To put the record straight, the incident, as alleged, did not happen in Kogi and no such incident was reported anywhere in the state.

    “I hereby urge all peace loving citizens of Kogi State and the country at large to discountenance such mischievous information trending on social media and go about their lawful businesses and activities,” the CP advised.

  • Herdsmen attack septuagenarian farmer in ondo state

    Herdsmen attack septuagenarian farmer in ondo state

     

    An old man, a farmer aged 77 was on Saturday attacked and matcheted by suspected herdsmen in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo state.

    The farmer was working on his farm when the herdsmen appraoched him demanding for money from him.

    The old man responded that he had no money on him in the farm

    According to him, after he did not give them the money they requested “the next thing was that they brought out daggers and macheted me.

    “They left me in the pool of my blood thinking I was dead”.

    He was rushed to hospital for treatment

    The victim was said to have rushed to an undisclosed health facility for treatment.

    Thisn is one of the attacks perpertrated by herdsmen in the Ikakumo area of Ondo state in the last one month.

    .Recall that a middle-aged farmer was also macheted in Ikakumo when they plucked his cashew nuts a few weeks ago.

    The incident was said to have been reported to the police in Ikare Akoko.

    Ondo state police command, the two area commanders ACP Muri Agboola, and the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Ikare- Akoko confirmed the case, saying that investigation are still on-going, assuring that those behind the attacks will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

     

  • PLATEAU: 10 killed, 19 injured in gunmen attack at Chando Zerreci, Bassa LGA

    PLATEAU: 10 killed, 19 injured in gunmen attack at Chando Zerreci, Bassa LGA

    Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, late Saturday night at about 11pm, attacked Chando Zerreci in Bassa Local Government of Plateau State and killed no fewer than 10 persons.

     

    The gunmen launched the attack, which also left 19 persons injured, during the annual Irigwe ritual festival ‘Zerreci’ celebrated to usher in the rainy farming season.

     

    Confirming the attack in a statement on Sunday in Jos, the National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Youth Movement, Comrade Lawrence Zongo, called on Federal Government to come to their rescue.

     

    The statement reads: “The National Leadership of Irigwe Youth Movement(IYM) condemned the attack of the Irigwe people on her annual ritual festival ‘Zerreci’ the festival that will usher them into the rainy farming season.

     

    “The group alleged that they were attacked by herdsmen late Saturday night at about 11pm at Chando Zerreci in Bassa Local Government of Plateau state”

     

    Zongo noted that 10 persons were killed and 19 people survived gunshots wounds.

     

    The 19 people that survived gunshots wounds are said to be undergoing medical treatment at Enos Hospital Miango while others are receiving treatment in Jos.

     

    The statement added: “The Nigerian government has a responsibility to promote and protect human rights, including the right to life, and a duty to protect civilians from attacks by taking effective measures to prevent and deter attacks on the Rigwe people.

     

    “The government must as a matter of urgency investigate the attack in Irigwe land and bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure families and other victims are adequately compensated.

     

    “Brutal attacks on Rigwe communities are becoming rampant and frequent. This is unacceptable. The government must take more concrete steps to protect lives and property across Rigwe chiefdom and neighboring communities.”

     

    Plateau police spokesman, Uba Ogaba, said the Command had mobilised armed personnel to the place to restore normalcy.

  • Court sentences six herdsmen to life imprisonment for kidnapping

    Court sentences six herdsmen to life imprisonment for kidnapping

    Six herdsmen have been sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping, by a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

    Justice Hannah Ajayi, on Friday, found the men guilty and convicted them of conspiracy, kidnapping, and illegal possession of firearms.

     

    Those convicted after standing trial before the court for about five years included Tambaya Abubakar, Babuga Umaru, Shehu Umaru, Mojumba Bello, Abubakar Juli and Mamma Lawali.

     

    The convicts had been accused of conspiring and kidnapping one Usman Mohammed while armed with two single-barrel guns at Osi in the Ekiti Local Government Area of the state in 2017.

     

    The charge further revealed that the convicts took Mohammed into the bush where they demanded ransom and were paid N400,000 by the victim’s family.

     

    The convicts, who pleaded not guilty to the charges during the trial, told the court through their separate counsel that they were Fulani who reared cattle and were always busy on their various farms attending to their animals.

     

    The Kwara State Director of Public Prosecution, Abdulmumini Jimoh (SAN) expressed satisfaction with the verdict, adding that it would serve as a deterrent to others.