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Tag: herdsmen

  • Herdsmen: Defence minister under attack

    Herdsmen: Defence minister under attack

    Benue State governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, yesterday faulted Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali for attributing the invasion of the state by killer herdsmen to the enactment of anti-open grazing laws.

    He said it was unfortunate that the minister prefer conferring immunity on cattle to human beings.

    He said herdsmen attack on farmers is a monster that has the capacity of consuming the entire country.

    He said as at Thursday, there were reports of killings in Guma part of the state.

    Ortom, who reacted to the Minister’s claims at the Benue People’s House, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to caution the minister.

    He said: “It is unfortunate, but I want to console myself that that thing is not coming from the Honourable Minister. But if it did, I’ll say that it is very, very unfortunate. Then the solution to the security challenges we have in this country is not in sight having those kinds of people in position who are not able to give quality advice and to also proffer solution to the security problems we have here.

    “For instance, if you say it is because of the law that killings by herdsmen are going on in Benue, is there any law prohibiting open grazing in Adamawa State? Is there any one in Plateau State? Is there any law in Kaduna, Ondo, Bayelsa, Imo, Ebonyi, Delta or Edo State?

    “In Edo State, cattle have taken over even schools. This is provoking. It is like dancing on the graves of those people who were murdered and slaughtered in this state on the first of January. “It’s unfortunate that you have those kinds of people who are saddled with the responsibility of providing security for our country. I do not want to join issues with him, but I will personally see him and try to find out why he had to say that.

    The other day, a report came from the Department of State Services (DSS) that it was the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA) terrorist organisation that is taking over, and I also heard that the minister was quoted as saying we should accommodate foreigners. Foreigners who come here illegally should be accommodated?

    “So if a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is coming out to encourage our citizens to do illegal things, I now begin to see why they have given immunity that is the prerogative of the President and the Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors, to herdsmen who kill and even to cattle.

    “So, cattle in Nigeria have more immunity than human beings. This is unfortunate, and I look forward that he will apologise to us and retract what he said, because it is an insult on our collective leadership.

    “It is wrong. And let the minister know that we are more intelligent than he thinks we are. We will continue to do the right thing. We’re not asking for anything outside the laws of this land. The law prohibiting open grazing that we have enacted was legitimate as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and as law-abiding citizens, we will continue to do this.”

    Ortom asked the Federal Government to address the security challenge at hand instead of diverting attention.

    He said: “I want to advise the Federal Government to face this challenge squarely because it is their responsibility to provide security for lives and property, because we as a state don’t own the security apparatus of this country.

    “So it is their responsibility. Instead of diverting attention, they should address the security challenges at hand.

    “Today, they will say that Ortom is arming 6,000 militia and tomorrow they will go and sponsor people to write rubbish about me and all that just to try to divert attention. Why not face the real issue that is confronting us?

    “This is a monster that has the capacity of consuming the entire country, and we must arise as leaders and support Mr. President to ensure that we surmount this.

    Responding to a question, he asked the President to caution the Defence Minister.

    He added:  “Well, I’ll see what Mr. President will do, because I’m sure that he must have also heard what the minister said and I expect that he’ll respond to that because it’s wrong.

    “I want to believe that the Mr. President I know and who I supported and I’m still supporting is an upright person who is always truthful and he’ll say the right thing and caution his minister, because I can’t believe that a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at this time will come and add insult to our injury.

    “We are pained by what this man came out to say yesterday.”

    On the likely backlash of his protest against the killings in the state by the powers that be, he said he would continue to stick to the truth.

    “Whatever it is I say, it does not matter. As long as I’m on the side of the truth and doing the wish of my people, I’m satisfied. I don’t care about any gang-up. It doesn’t matter.

    “But I heard it; gang up to do this and that. But it doesn’t matter,” he said.

    The governor also said the death toll in Benue killings could be higher than 73.

    He expressed regrets that the herdsmen were also killing security personnel.

    “I’ve not got the complete figure, but there is a committee working on that. But even on the burial, I did say that the deaths were more than 73.

    Even yesterday, there were some killings in Guma, including a policeman. One policeman was wounded and one is still missing. You see, these people are joking.

    “If terrorists that are hired by herdsmen under the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore that are known by the Federal Government have gone beyond killing our people who are civilians to killing security personnel, if security men are being killed in this manner, where is our safety? That is what the minister of Defence should be concerned about.

    “They know where these people are, so they are making me to believe that the Minister of Defence is also part of the conspiracy against Benue State, and is not about grazing, it is about occupation, taking over the land.

    “That is what Miyetti Allah said, and they have accepted that it should be so. This is not correct.”

    Addressing State House correspondents after a meeting President Muhammadu Buhari had with security chiefs on Thursday, Dan-Ali blamed the recent killings in Benue State on the state’s anti-open grazing law.

  • Suspected herdsmen attack female teachers in Ogun

    Herdsmen who turned robbers have  attacked and injured two female primary school teachers at the serene Onigbedu community in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    The teachers were  going to their school located  on Thursday at Atola village in the same Local Government on commercial motorcycle when two herdsmen bearing sticks accosted them, and with

    It was learnt that when the robber – herdsmen stopped the the commercial motorcyclist, his female passengers fell off his motorcycle during a struggle, he  escaped, leaving the female teachers at the mercy of the attackers.

    According to a source close to the victims, when they could not provide money to the assailants, the herdsmen turned robbers began to beat them with sticks until they bled from all over their body.

    The teachers were first given medical attention at Onigbedu health centre, and later transfered to the state General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta.

    “They said those who attacked them with sticks were herdsmen  but they were robbers.

    “When they accosted them, they were saying ‘bring money, bring money,’ and the teachers said they said they had no money on them. And it was this that infuriated them and hit them with the sticks on their heads,” a source said.

    Confirming the incident, the state Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr. Titi Adebanjo said: “Yes, it is true that robbers attacked two teachers on Thursday while on their way to the school in Atola village in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state.

    ” They are currently at the state General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where they are receiving treatment. They are responding to treatment.”

    Also, the  Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun, Abimbola Oyeyemi,  confirmed the incident, said two were arrested but later set free upon discovery that the supposedly suspects were known faces among the residents of the area.

    “It is true that herdsmen attacked two teachers with sticks. Investigations had commenced into the matter.

    “Some herdsmen were arrested but we later discovered they were not the ones who attacked the teachers, because they reside and were known in that environment.

  • Why herdsmen/farmers clash, by minister

    Why herdsmen/farmers clash, by minister

    President Muhammadu Buhari  yesterday  met with security chiefs on the herdsmen/farmers clashes in the country.

    Minister of Defence Monsur Dan-Ali told State House correspondents at the end of the meeting that it dwell on the general security challenges.

    He blamed the blockage of grazing routes for the series of herdsmen, farmers clashes.

    The minister said Nigeria was finalising plans to buy jets from the United States.

    He said the ministry and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) had set up a committee to work out the modalities to transform the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons to a National Commission.

    Asked if the solutions to the clashes were discussed, Dan-Ali said: “Yes we did. First I mentioned about this commission on proliferation of arms into the country. You see, whatever crisis that happens at any time, there is remote and immediate causes.

    “Look at this issue (killings in Benue and Taraba), what is the remote causes of this farmers crisis. Since the nation’s Independence, we know there used to be a route whereby the cattle rearers take because they are all over the nation. You go to Bayelsa, Ogun, you will see them. If those routes are blocked, what do you expect will happen?

    “These people are Nigerians. It’s just like one going to block shoreline; does that make sense to you? These are the remote causes of the crisis.

    “But the immediate cause is the grazing law. These people are Nigerians and we must learn to live together with each other. Communities and other people must learn how to accept foreigners within their enclave. Finish!”

    Asked if he was justifying the killings because of the blocking of the routes, the minister said: “You are going away from what I came here to do. However, this is internal security, I can provide some answers. I have told you that the remote cause is part of the grazing law. Since independence, there are clear routes where these people pass.”

    On arms, Dan-Ali said: “They are all over. In that killings you are talking about, they are also militias that also did the killings. Some people were caught with arms and they call themselves Forest Guards or whatever with AK47. There is nowhere in this country where arms are allowed to be carried apart of legitimate security forces.

    “So, anybody carrying any arm is doing so illegally. Militias were caught in the same land doing the same killings; so, the killings are not done by any particular group, its a communal issue.”

    Asked what Nigerians should believe; that the killings were done by foreign terrorists or militias, Dan-Ali said, “Of course that is why I said they are militias. Militias are part of illegal immigrants. They are the people”.

    According to him, the members of the National Commission are drawn from all security services with Office of the National Security Adviser, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior. It will be headed by a retired general.

    He said that $494 million will be used to acquire the Super Tucano A29 jets from the US as well as training and continuous servicing.

    He said: “Some of the stringent measures include that we will start having them from 2020, which is two years from now. They are also thinking of not allowing our technicians to be part of the production inspection. But this is what we normally do in all the defence contracts we send our personnel to go and understudy especially when it comes to specialised contracts like in Russia, our personnel are permanently based in where the production is being done for this MI35 helicopters,” he added

    Reading the statement on the National Security Council meeting, he thanked the President, Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces for his continuous funding of the Armed forces to perform their constitutional role, especially as it is now fighting multiple security challenges.

    According to him, he informed the Council that in line with the decision of the government to increase the strength of the Armed Forces to address manpower, the three services have in the last two years enlisted and recruited qualified Nigerians.

    The Ministry of Defence, Dan-Ali said, is also building befitting accommodation for members of the Armed Forces in the six geopolitical zones.

    “Similar accommodation was built by Defence Headquarters and commissioned by the HMOD in Abuja last month. This has gone a long way to solving accommodation problem and boosting the morale of personnel serving in Abuja,” he said

    He added: “In compliance with the presidential directive for the establishment of National Commission on the Control of small Arms and Light Weapons in the country, the Ministry of Defence in conjunction with the office of the National Security Adviser, has set up a committee to work out modalities to transform the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PRESCOM) to a National Commission.”

  • Delta Police send back ‘strange’ herdsmen

    Delta Police send back ‘strange’ herdsmen

    The Security Committee on Herdsmen and Farmers, constituted by Delta State Police Command, has intercepted unidentified herdsmen and sent them out of the state.

    Command spokesman Andrew Aniamaka, in a statement yesterday in Asaba, said the herdsmen claimed to have arrived Asaba from Kogi State.

    He said the committee swung into action, following the circulation of a video on social media, which claimed armed herdsmen had arrived Asaba through River Niger.

    “The attention of Delta State Police Command has been drawn to a video circulating on social media that herdsmen have arrived Asaba by three flying boats through River Niger.

    “The video alleged that the herdsmen were seen with suspected firearms.

    “However, the command wishes to state that on January 21, about 3pm, herdsmen actually arrived Asaba bank of River Niger on three flying boats with their cattle.

    “On receipt of the information, members of the state Committee on Herdsmen/ Farmers, recently inaugurated by the police command, swung into action and intercepted the herdsmen.

    “The committee, led by its Chairman, Chief Cassidy Iloba, a senior special assistant on Security to the Governor, interrogated the herdsmen.

    “Later they were returned to Kogi State where they came from,’’ Aniamaka said.

    He said none of the herdsmen was found with firearms as alleged on social media.

    According to him, a herder, Alhaji Katti, who has been living in the area for over three decades, is the only herdsman there.

    Aniamaka said the committee had warned Katti not to harbour any unidentified migrant herdsmen.

    He said the command, in conjunction with the committee, was working to ensure a peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers.

    The spokesman urged residents to volunteer information about any threat to security to the police or other security agents, instead of using social media to cause panic.

  • Eight killed in herdsmen-farmers clash in Jos

    Eight killed in herdsmen-farmers clash in Jos

    …Why killings persist in Plateau- OPSH

     

    At least eight persons have been confirmed killed in two separate incidents in Bassa local government and Bokkos local government since Monday this week.

    One of the incidences in Daho, Bokkos LGA involved dispute over a pieces of land between Fulani people and Ron people, while the second incidence in Bassa LGA involved Fulani herdsmen and Irigwe farmers.

    Both incidences led to the lost of 8 persons, burning of several houses and several other people injured.

    Confirming the incidences, Media Officer of the special military task force code named “Operation Safe Haven” (OPHS) Major Adam Umar said, “There is no denying the fact that these killings took place between the 22nd and 24th of this month. The first one that happened in Bassa was between Irigwe youths and some herdsmen, a head of cattle allegedly encroached into a farm belonging to Irigwe farmer, and that led to the killing of one of the cows, several other cows were injured.

    “When the report got to us, our men in sector seven mobilize to the area and effect some arrest and rescue some of the cows. In the night of that same day 3 dead bodies were found near a mining site and those bodies were identified as Irigwe boys, they were obviously killed by some unknown gunmen. Our men went and evacuated the bodies.

    “Related to that, security agencies in neighboring Kaduna State raised alarm that they saw some gunmen dresses in black uniforms in their area and asked for vigilant around the boundary areas, the next day, two bodies of Fulani boys were found and evacuated by the police.

    “So to restore calm in the areas, our men have been deployed to the general areas to forestall breakdown of law and order and calm has already been restored to the area”

    On the second incidence that happens in Bokkos, Major Umar said, “A Fulani young man was sighted molding building blocks in Daho village, some Ron boys contested the ownership of the land and in the fracas that ensued, the Fulani boy was killed. Eventually, the crisis escalated before we know of it and two more people were killed in the clash between the Fulani and Ron youths”

    According to Major Umar, “You see, these killings occurred because people often take laws into their hands, the normal thing is to report any grievances to security agencies, we keep preaching about this on daily bases, but people will not listen. We have often tell them to cooperate with security agencies and give us useful information at the right time, we have the capacity to use such information in a manner for peace to reign in the communities, that is why we are deployed here But the people, for reasons best known to them will want to handle the situation themselves and we frown at that”

    However, we are already maintain our heavy presence in the communities where these killings took place and everywhere is calm now, said Major Umar.

    However, youths in the state said the special military task force are so economical with the truth of the situation. They alleged that the communities are facing unprovoked attacked by armed Fulani who are contesting for grazing land with the natives.

    The Nation learnt that security meetings are ongoing in the state to prevent the issue from escalating into full blown war.

  • Buhari, security chiefs meet over herdsmen/farmers clashes

    Buhari, security chiefs meet over herdsmen/farmers clashes

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with security chiefs towards tackling the herdsmen and farmers clashes in the country.

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

    According to him, several issues including the country’s security challenges were discussed at the meeting.

    He blamed the blockage of grazing routes for the recurring clashes between herdsmen and farmers in several parts of the country.

    The minister also disclosed that Nigeria is planning to buy jets from the United States.

    He said his ministry and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) would set up a committee to work out the modalities for the transformation of the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons to a National Commission.

     

     

     

  • Herdsmen set 150-acre palm plantation ablaze in Oyo

    Herdsmen set 150-acre palm plantation ablaze in Oyo

    HERDSMEN, on Monday night, set ablaze 150 acres of farm settlement at Lagun in Oyo State.

    This is coming two years after herdsmen invaded the same farm settlement, destroying N100 million worth of poultry, and maiming six attendants.

    Workers scampered for safety as the attackers unleashed terror on the farm.

    The owner, a former Secretary to Oyo State Government (SSG), Mr. Dele Adigun, addressed reporters yesterday.

    He said the “farmers may be forced to begin to take laws into their hands, if this stupidity and unguarded arson continues unabated”.

    Adigun said about 1,500 palm trees were destroyed.

    He added: “They (suspected herdsmen) set my farm ablaze and destroyed about 1,500 palm trees. You recall that six of my attendants were maimed and property destroyed two years ago, precisely in March, 2016. We reported to the police and nothing has been done till date.

    “In the 2016 attack, we lost about N100 million. We are yet to quantify this latest attack. That’s what we are contending with now. We have reported to the police and, till now, they are yet to make any arrest. I am disturbed; I am concerned because we are talking about diversification of the economy. But with these hoodlums, there is a problem as many people would not like to go and farm again.

    “It is as if law enforcement agencies are helpless to tackle this menace. What is the Department of State Services (DSS), the police and other security agencies doing that they cannot make arrests? They (suspected herdsmen) go to farm at night and set it ablaze so that when it rains, their cattle can be fed with the new grass.

    “How can you destroy someone’s property to feed your animals for your business to thrive? If care is not taken, farmers may be forced to take the law into their hands. I hope we won’t get to such a situation. I am seriously disturbed.”

  • Falae: herdsmen attack my farm every year

    Falae: herdsmen attack my farm every year

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, has said the Sunday evening fire on his farm at Ilado in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State was  the handiwork of herdsmen.

    He described the attack as malicious.

    But the police said they would not point fingers until the conclusion of their investigation into the incident.

    Falae spoke yesterday when the state government sent a delegation to check the damage the fire caused, with the police in tow.

    He said: “I don’t know why herdsmen have been attacking my farm. They did it last year; they did the same the year before the last. That is how they burn it every year so that fresh grass can come out for their cattle to eat.

    “They attack my oil palm cultivation. The mature oil palm trees that have been bearing fruits to make palm oil have been burnt down.”

    The government delegation was on the farm for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage the fire caused.

    The team was led by Commissioner for Agriculture, Gboyega Adefarati, who expressed sadness over the development.

    Adefarati reiterated government’s readiness to send a bill to the House of Assembly to regulate the activities of herdsmen across the state.

    Police Commissioner Gbenga Adeyanju led a team of security officers to the farm.

    The police chief, who could not immediately ascertain the cause of the inferno, said investigations had begun on the incident to bring the culprits to justice.

    The Olu of Ilu-Abo described the incident as a wicked act and malicious damage.

    He said: “This goes beyond what their cattle want to eat. Cattle don’t eat oil palm. This is a malicious attack, which must be condemned by everybody.”

    Also, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) condemned the attack on the farm.

    A statement yesterday by the Publicity Secretary of the Aare Gani Adams-led OPC, Yinka Oguntimehin, said “Sunday’s attack on the Afenifere leader’s farm was wicked, rude and shocking”.

    It added: “The attack was a deliberate attempt by the suspected herdsmen to undermine the security of the country.”

     

  • Fayose gives herdsmen in Ekiti three months to register

    Fayose gives herdsmen in Ekiti three months to register

    Following the latest attack launched by suspected herdsmen in Ekiti State, Governor Ayo Fayose has given all herdsmen in the state a three-month ultimatum to register in their respective locations to identify them.
    They are to register with a sum of N5,000 each in a bid to know who should be held responsible in the event of any further attacks in the state.
    Fayose also vowed to hold the Sarkin Fulani (Head of Fulanis) in Ekiti State, Muhammad Abashe, personally responsible for any further attacks in his domain.
    Besides, the governor also promised to forward an executive bill to the House of Assembly proposing a five-year jail term for anybody found guilty of harbouring ‘killer’ herdsmen in the state.
    These are some of the highlights of a peace meeting held by the governor with the leadership of the state chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) at the weekend at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti.
    The meeting was also attended by farmers, local hunters, security agencies and representatives of the Tiv community in Ado Ekiti.
    The latest meeting was summoned in the wake of an attack by “Bororo herdsmen” in Orin-Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government Area on Thursday where a pregnant Tiv farmer, Uyoga Iyape, was killed.
    Apparently furious about the latest killing of the Tiv woman, who was eight months pregnant, Fayose accused the Fulani leader, Abashe, of failing to provide leadership in stopping his kinsmen from destroying lives and farms across the state.
    Fayose said: “Many of the Fulani herdsmen who settled down here did so without permission from anyone. No one can be living with us and we – their host – would not know who they are.
    “They said some are strangers who only come briefly but we don’t want that. Now, they would register with government for a token of N5,000.
    “It is not their money that we need but their identity and locality. The sum of N5,000 would be renewable after a year.
    “We are sending a bill to the state assembly which would be that anyone caught and found guilty of harbouring dangerous Fulani herdsmen would be jailed for five years without an option of fine.
    “So, I urge every residents in Ekiti to report anyone or stranger who
    is suspected to be a killer Fulani herdsman.”
    Turning to Abashe, Fayose said: “If you still want to stay among us, you must accept the responsibility to ensure that none of our peoples’ farms is destroyed by herdsmen any longer.
    “None of our people must be killed by your men, either they are strangers or those herdsmen living among us.
    “If any killing or destruction of farms of our people occurs again in that area, I will ensure that I use the law to fight you their leader on it. This is the last warning I am giving you.”
    The governor said the activities of the ‘killer’ Fulani herdsmen were negatively affecting the name of President Muhammadu Buhari and other notable Fulani leaders in the country.
    He said: “This killing is giving Fulani people a bad name. If there are no good people among them, how would General Buhari rise to be president?
    “There are doctors, lawyers, engineers and other notable professionals among you. This is denting their names. The greatest of men are the peace makers.
    “Even though President Buhari does not send people to kill, it is spoiling his name. We are to make sure the killing stops.”
    Fayose said further: “We won’t be intimidated by the terror of the few. The moment you are caught, you will face the law. The killing by Fulani is worse than Boko Haram.
    “We want one Nigeria because we have gone far. Anyone harbouring criminals will not know peace. Enough is enough! Life is sacred and must be treated as such.”
    “I’m calling on the federal government to be firm, when actions are taken against this mindless individuals, this killing will stop. It is because they are taking it like a family affair; this is not in the interest of Nigeria. Ordinary Nigerians can’t carry AK47 or pump action.
    “I want you to go back home believing in one Nigeria. These are activities of criminals notwithstanding their ethnic background.”

  • Government should call herdsmen’s action terrorism

    The continuous harassment of Fulani herdsmen, apart from resultant loss of lives, is a recipe for food insecurity in the nation. The way the herdsmen invade farmlands and have their cattle go on a feeding binge shows that the culture of impunity still reigns in this country.

    A troubling thing is that, with all this nauseating devastation of land and people’s lives, the federal government seems not to be too interested in calling a spade a spade. The activities of these herdsmen are nothing less than terrorism, and they should be labelled a terrorists’ group.

    They seem to value the lives of cattle more than human lives, which is so sordid. Humans are supposed to be the beneficiaries of the farm products these cattle plumage and freely feed on, yet the herdsmen’s hunger for placing cattle above human lives goes on unabated.

    If the government can label IPOB (Indigenous Peoples of Biafra) a terrorist group, why not the herdsmen, after all what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

    It’s time the federal government found a lasting solution to this menace, and very speedily too.

    • Joseph Paul wrote in from Makurdi, Benue State.