The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fulani herdsmen

  • Auchi monarch tasks community on agriculture

    Auchi monarch tasks community on agriculture

    The Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh, has advised people in his domain to embrace agriculture for economic self reliance and boost food production in the country.

    The monarch gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo.

    Momoh said that no fewer than 200 women farmers in the Kingdom have been encouraged to key into the Federal Government agricultural revolution policy towards achieving national food security. The Otaru said the zeal by the women from an agrarian community was to boost food production and ensure food security within the locality.

    He said the traditional council had enjoined all the 25 village heads in the kingdom to encourage their wards towards going back to agriculture.

    “We are asking everybody to start planting groundnut; Auchi has a product which is groundnut, and we are now saying everybody should go and grow groundnut.

    “Even my wife has her own farm, by virtue of that policy, we encourage the women to farm and trade,” he said.

    The Otaru assured that the traditional council had created the enabling environment conducive for investment in agriculture in the communities.

    He further disclosed that the traditional council had donated 5,000 hectares of land as part of the community’s effort to support the federal government agricultural revolution.

    He said the hectares of land were meant for crops such as groundnut, maize, cassava and other economic crops.

    “We have allocated some hectares of land to the Federal Government for the planting of cashew, cassava, maize and groundnut, and we are expecting them to come and inspect the land,’’ said Momoh.

    Besides, the monarch disclosed that the community had disbursed N5 million to some women farmers to engage in petty trade due to attacks on them by herdsmen.

    “Because of the Fulani herdsmen issue, we gave out some money to farmers to ease them off from the threat of Fulani herdsmen who threaten them in the farm,” he said.

    The traditional ruler assured residents that the traditional council was already working with security agencies, including the local vigilance group and hunters, to arrest the situation and make the farms safe for cultivation.

  • Fayose urges FG to stop killings by Fulani herdsmen

    Fayose urges FG to stop killings by Fulani herdsmen

    The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government to pay more attention to the menace of Fulani herdsmen in the country, especially in Benue State, saying “what is going on in Benue State is more like an organised pogrom and those responsible for the killings in the state must be arrested and prosecuted.”

    Fayose, in a release issued yesterday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, declared support for the new law prohibiting open grazing in Benue State. He said, “those opposed to the law are only doing so as part of their plot to undermine the land and people of Benue State and they must be made to face the law.”

    He described the Buhari-led government’s continuous silence on the alleged killing of harmless Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen as unacceptable.

  • Senators raise alarm over herdsmen rampage in Edo

    Senators raise alarm over herdsmen rampage in Edo

    …Two women killed, four women raped

     

    The Senators representing Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts, Clifford Ordia and Francis Alimikhena, Wednesday raised the alarm over the rampaging activities of herdsmen in Edo State.

    While Ordia told the Senate that suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked two villages in Edo Central where they raped and strangulated two women to death, Alimikhena informed his colleagues that the ravaging herdsmen raped four women in his constituency.

    Ordia said that the women were killed in community called Ewu, Edo Central on May 22, 2017.

    The lawmaker in a motion entitled “Need to curtail the activities of Fulani Herdsmen in Edo State,” lamented that the Federal Government appeared to have left the people to their fate.

    Senator Ordia said: “These ravaging herdsmen entered into a farmland located in Ewu Community, Esan Central Local Government of Edo State raping two women, Mrs. Martina Emoyon and Mrs. Ariu and strangled them to death, destroyed crops and sacked a lot of persons from their various farmlands.

    “Consequent upon these criminal activities of the Fulani herdsmen, the youths of Ewu engaged in a peaceful protest to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the problem.

    “Sadly one Ehimen Donald Abuya was shot and the victim is presently lying critically ill at Irrua Specialist Hospital.

    “Since this destructive attack, it has been observed that no farmer in the communities have engaged in farming activities for fear of being killed.

    “I am concerned about the heinous and criminal activities being perpetrated by Fulani Herdsmen who in the violent act of ravaging communities, depriving persons of right to life and prosperity, raping, defiling women and destroying farms crops amongst other criminal activities across the country.

    “Despite the public outcry and previous resolutions of the National Assembly as regards the criminal activities of herdsmen, there seems to be no visible action on the part of government to curtail, abate or totally stop the criminal activities of these criminal elements among Fulani Herdsmen.”

    The lawmaker who quoted section 33(1) of chapter (iv) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Senator Ordia said “every person has a right to life and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in the execution of a court sentence in respect of criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.

    “The Africa Chapter on Human and Peoples Right of which Nigeria is a signatory also provides for Right to Life and Respect for Integrity of Persons, Freedom from Slavery, Torture, Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading treatment

    “Section 43 of the constitution provides that every citizen shall have a right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria.

    “The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) in section 14(b) clearly provides that the Security and Welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

    He warned that the situation might get worse if drastic action was not taken to curtail the activities of Fulani herdsmen.

    He said, “We cannot continue to live like this in the country. The herdsmen did not only rape the women but went ahead to strangulate them. The Federal Government, should as a matter of urgency, step in and curb the criminal activities of these herdsmen.

    Senator Alimikhena on his own said that the four women were raped in a community in his Senatorial District.

    The Edo North lawmaker lamented that the herdsmen have taken over highways and farmlands in the area making vehicular movement difficult.

    He appealed to the Senate to intervene and stop the carnage in his area.

    The Senate asked security agencies “to halt, apprehend and bring to justice the criminal elements posing as herdsmen who derive pleasure in destroying lives and properties across Nigeria.”

    An ad-hoc committee already set up by the Senate and chaired by Senator Kabiru Gaya, to investigate activities of Fulani herdsmen in the country was mandated to include recent attacks in Edo State.

     

  • Panic as herdsmen kill two in Rivers

    Panic as herdsmen kill two in Rivers

    … Seven suspects arrested 

     

     

    Two persons have lost their lives and seven arrested after suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked and killed the victims at Afam Uku, in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    At the time of filing this report, the reason behind the attack could not be ascertained,  but community sources said the attack might be resistance from the victims against the destruction of their farm crops by the herdsmen’s cattle.

    But the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Dr. Chisom Gbali has confirmed the incident.

    Dr.  Gbali said the deceased, both male were attacked and killed by the suspected Fulani herdsmen in their farmland.

    He said: ‘’We woke up this morning to hear the story of killing of two persons by the Fulani herdsmen. I don’t actually know the reason for the killing. But, I believe that has to do with destruction of farm crops by cattle.

    “The victims, I learnt, had questioned the motive behind the destruction of their crops by the herdsmen’s cattle. There might have been hot exchanges between the victims and the herdsmen. One of the victims was from Tai’’

    The CTC Chairman,  Dr.  Gbali, disclosed that seven persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

    State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),  Omoni Nnamdi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), told journalists that he has not been briefed about the incident.

     

  • Again, Fulani Herdsmen kill one, injure three policemen in Delta

    Again, Fulani Herdsmen kill one, injure three policemen in Delta

    At least one policeman was confirmed killed in an unprovoked ambush laid by a gang of suspected armed Fulani herdsmen, on a company of police personnel in Abraka, Ethiope East council area of Delta state on Tuesday.

    The incident, which occurred along the road around the stretch of Abraka farmlands, which have been forcefully occupied by the dreaded Fulani herdsmen, was one in a series of similar terror acts by the herdsmen around the area.

    Just about two weeks ago, the decapitation of a youth, who had gone with his brothers to engage some killer Fulani herdsmen who held their mother hostage in the farming area, had led to a serious uprising that almost claimed the life of a traditional ruler in the area.

    The Nation gathered that the policemen, driven in a van, were returning from the disputed Eku/Oria communities’ boundary when the killer herdsmen, who had reportedly blocked the road with cows, opened fire on the policemen, killing one of the passengers instantly and three others seriously injured.

    Although official police confirmation put the fatality figure at just one persons, being the Police Inspector who died on the spot, other sources claimed that one more victim of the attack died on the way to the hospital on Tuesday, while the other two victims died yesterday morning at the hospital, bringing the casualty figure to four.

    “The team in company of an executive member of the Umiaghwa-Abraka vigilante group, were on their way back to the police station after assessing the area demarcation between Eku and Oria communities, following a boundary dispute between a company operating in the area and the locals, when they were ambushed”, a source said.

    When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the attack on the policemen, but clarified that only an inspector died as result of the incident.

    “One died and that is the information available, but our prayer is that the others recover. They (the assailant herdsmen) laid an ambush and opened fire on the patrol team and it was so spontaneous, the sporadic shooting at them. The Inspector died and the others are in the hospital, three of them.

    “Fingers are being pointed at the herdsmen; they said men suspected to be herdsmen. The suspected assailants just opened fire on them, that’s what we heard, that’s the information available and we are on their trail. We are counting on the cooperation of all to enable us get them. Let them even let us know why they have to fire on people who didn’t go chasing them”, he said.

     

  • Inspector killed, 3 policemen injured by suspected Fulani herdsmen

    Inspector killed, 3 policemen injured by suspected Fulani herdsmen

    The Delta Police command, has confirmed that an inspector was killed and three other policemen injured by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta,

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the incident while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Asaba.

    He said that the inspector and his three colleagues, from Abraka Police Division, were on routine patrol along the railway line in Abraka when they were ambushed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    He said that the injured policemen sustained various degrees of injuries.

    Aniamaka said: “our men were ambushed around the railway line in Abraka and the assailants opened fire on them.

    “It was so spontaneous that our men did not have the time to stave-off the attack.

    “We lost an inspector and three other policemen were injured and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

    “That is the situation of things; we are still on the trail of those who committed the dastardly act.

  • Court sentences Falae’s abductors to life imprisonment

    Court sentences Falae’s abductors to life imprisonment

    The Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital has sentenced the abductors of the Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Chief Olu Falae to life imprisonment for kidnapping and armed robbery.

    Falae was abducted by some Fulani herdsmen during his 77th Birthday on September 21, 2015 at his Ilado farm in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

    He was released after paying N5million ransom four days after his abduction.

    The convicts were: Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibrahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal and two others.

    Charges against them read: “That you, Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did give information for the purpose of kidnapping and abducting Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did aid the kidnapping and abduction of Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did Kidnapped Chief Oluyemi Falae, the Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and did not release him until N5,000,000 ransom was paid.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did conspire to commit a felony to wit armed robbery.

    “Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did rob Chief Olu Falae of N15, 000 and his handset while armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons”.

    The offence, according to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs. Adeyemi Kuti from Ondo State Ministry of Justice is contrary to Section 2 of Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 5(1)(a) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Laws, Section3(11)(b) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Abduction Law, Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms(Special Provision) Act,Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act,Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    However, when the charge sheet was read to the convicts in court on the first date of their arraignment, they all pleaded not guilty to the five counts charge leveled against them.

    However, when the case came up yesterday for judgement after several adjournments, the Presiding Judge, Justice Williams Olamide said he was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the convicts committed the crime with the evidence tendered before him.

    Justice Olamide also said that during the hearing of the matter, the victim, Chief Olu Falae was able to identify three of the convicts as those who kidnapped him and threatened to kill him if he failed to pay the ransom when he was in their captivity.

    He thereafter sentenced seven of them to life imprisonment.

    The Prosecution Counsel, Mrs Adeyemi Kuti hailed the judgment, saying justice has been given to the victim.

    But, counsel to the seven convicts, Abdulrahman Yusuf from the Legal Aid Council (LAC)said he would obtain the judgment, study it,to determine whether to Appeal the judgement or not.

     

  • Fulani herdsmen kill 10 in Cross River

    Fulani herdsmen kill 10 in Cross River

    • Only one dead-police 

    No fewer than 10 people have been allegedly killed by Fulani herdsmen in Obio Usiere, Odukapni local government area of Cross River State.
    Village head of Obio Usiere, Apostle Iya Orok, told reporters the community discovered eight more corpses after the two earlier killed last week.
    He said: “We have lost nothing less than 10 people in this attack by Fulani herdsmen. They normally come during the dry season to feed their cattle in our area.
    “The same incident occurred two years ago when two people were shot dead, now its 10 people.
    “As I speak with you, Obio Usiere has been deserted, our women are afraid to go their farms because they rape them in the bush and no one can help them. These people are heavily armed and we are just helpless.
    “We have reported to both police, DSS and other security agencies and we call on Governor Ben Ayade to help us because about 3, 500 people are now homeless, we have become refugees in our own land.”
    Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the attack but said only one person was killed.
    She said policemen have been drafted to the area and normalcy has been restored.
    “Our men are on ground 24 hours and we are not aware of any other killing. The rise in the death toll has not been reported to us and we are not leaving the place,” she said.

  • Fulani herdsmen kill 10 in Cross River

    Fulani herdsmen kill 10 in Cross River

    At least 10 people have allegedly been killed in by Fulani herdsmen Obio Usiere in Eniong Abatim, Odukapni local government area of Cross River State.

    The Village Head the Obio Usiere, Apostle Iya Effiong Orok, on Saturday told reporters that although it was earlier reported that two members of the community were killed last week in an attack by the herdsmen, they had discovered that eight more persons were killed.

    According to him, the two people earlier reported were just people whose bodies were recovered immediately as at the time of the first attack.

    His words, “We have lost nothing less than 10 people in this attack by Fulani herdsmen. They normally come during the dry season to feed their cattle in our area, the same incident occurred two years ago when two people were shot dead, now its 10 people”

    “As I speak with you, Obio Usiere has been deserted. Our women are afraid to go their farms because they rape them in the bush and no one can help them. These people are heavily armed and we are just helpless.

    “We have reported to both Police, DSS and other security agencies and we are using this opportunity to call on Governor Ben Ayade to help us because about 3, 500 people are now homeless, we have become refugees in our own land”

    “It’s about a week this incident took place. It is true that some police men were sent here but the shortfall in logistics is a big challenge. We are afraid to go back to our ancestral home because we know what is happening in Enugu, Delta, Benue and we don’t like shedding blood on our land, it is a taboo for an Efik man to take up arms.”

    Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the attack, but said only one person was killed.

    She said policemen have been been drafted to the area and normalcy has been restored.

    “Our men are on ground 24 hours and we are not aware of any other killing. The rise in the death toll has not been reported to us as I speak with you, and we are not leaving the place,” she said.

  • Herdsmen menace: Police, hunters to comb forest in Edo

    Herdsmen menace: Police, hunters to comb forest in Edo

    Edo State Police Command in collaboration with vigilantes and local hunters have concluded plans to commence tactical surveillance of forest suspected to be hideouts of notorious herdsmen and other criminals in the state.

    The exercise, according to the state Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, was aimed at smoking out all manner of criminals from the urban and rural communities in the state to enable farmers go to farms.

    The Police Commissioner urged them to provide information on forest and bushes suspected to be haven for notorious fulani herdsmen and other criminal elements in their domains.

    He warned local vigilante groups in the state against recruiting criminals or ex-cultists as part of their team.

    Gwandu who spoke at a stakeholders meeting with traditional rulers, hunters and vigilante groups said his command would not tolerate any vigilante group caught working with those he termed misguided elements.

    He said the criminals would hide under vigilante to commit crimes in the state.

    Gwandu told the traditional rulers that plans were on the way to flush out criminal herdsmen from various forest in the state.

    The state police boss assured the gathering that any corrupt police officers found culpable would dismissed from the force.

    “Edo police command under my watch would not tolerate corruption coming from any angle. I didn’t ask anybody to extort money from one  and you don’t  have to be corrupt while doing your job.

    “Government is showing serious concern about the activities of herdsmen in the state through joint forces combing the forest to flush out criminal elements in herdsmen.”

    Leaders of hunters, vigilant groups and representatives of traditional rulers expressed their readiness to sustain the partnership as security in their various communities is paramount.

    Amongst those who spoke at the gathering are the representative of Otaru of Auchi Alhaji Usman Abuda, Chief Raymond Okpai and Chief Sunday Omonua of Ekpoma Kingdom.