The Nation Newspaper

Tag: herdsmen

  • 50 security operatives killed by herdsmen since January, says Ortom

    About 50 security operatives have been killed in Benue State by herdsmen since the begging of the year,  Governor Samuel Ortom  said yesterday.

    But he admitted that herdsmen attacks in the state have subsided since the introduction of  the Operation Whirl Stroke by the security agencies.

    The governor spoke  at   Chihichan, Mbakume in Gwer-East local government area during the burial of Mr. David Upuu, elder brother of  the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Internal Affairs, Mr. Boniface Nyaakor.

    He  said  those conniving with the  enemies of the state to execute clandestine agenda would always be put to shame.

    While condoling with the bereaved family over the unfortunate incident, Governor Ortom prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Internal Affairs, Mr. Boniface Nyaakor, on behalf of the family, expressed appreciation to Governor Ortom for standing by them in their time of grief.

     

  • Conflicting expectations (1)

    A bill to amend the Constitution to provide for state police scaled the first reading at the Senate on July 11. But is Nigeria ripe for it? Is state police the answer to the prevailing security challenges? Are there no chances that governors would abuse such an institution? These are some of the posers raised in this report by PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU.

    FROM Borno to Ebonyi, Zamfara to Cross River and Plateau to Benue, it has been an orgy of killings. There have been growing security concerns across the country with Nigerians wondering if it had become a slaughter slab. A day hardly passes without reports of killings arising from herdsmen-farmers conflicts, armed marauding terrorists, kidnappers, communal clashes, rivalries among politicians, sponsored assassinations and militancy, among others. The situation assumed a frightening dimension this year as reports indicate that no fewer than 1,500 persons have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced as a result of various crisis across the country. Amnesty International on July 1, posted on its official Twitter handle that 378 persons were killed between January and June in Benue, 340 in Plateau and 217 in Zamfara states. Aside the above, 20 persons were killed during the clash between Ukele and Izzi communities of Cross River and Ebonyi States. The list is endless.

    The nation’s security apparatus, particularly the police, charged with the responsibility to maintain public peace, order and protect lives and properties have not adequately responded to these issues, no thanks to insufficient manpower, equipment and logistics; such that, the military, whose primary function is to protect the nation from external aggressions, was drafted in and currently runs operations in 30 states of the federation.

    As of today, the police have a population of about 300,000 to secure almost 200 million Nigerians. More than 20 per cent of the service’s strength are guiding the rich and politically exposed persons (PEPs). By the United Nation’s benchmark, a police man is expected to watch over four persons. But that is not the case in Nigeria where one officer is saddled with the responsibility of looking after 600 citizens.

    That notwithstanding, this year’s Global Peace Index (GPI) ranked Nigeria 148th in peacefulness out of 163 countries surveyed. The survey measured three indices—level of safety and security in society; extent of domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarisation.

    Rising cases of mindless murders and sacking of commuters have continued unabated with victims largely accusing the federal government controlled security agencies of conniving with killers, thus, reawakening the clamour for state police. The cries reached a crescendo with last month’s killing of over 200 people in Riyom, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, as well as the massacres recorded in Zamfara, Taraba, Nasarawa, Benue, Ebonyi, Cross River and Rivers states, among others. The National Assembly (NASS) was called upon to, without delay, begin the process for the establishment of state police by amending Sections 214 and 215 that stipulates the existence of only the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    Heeding the call, the Senate asked its standing committee on Constitution Review to kick-start processes for a Bill to amend the Constitution for the establishment of state police. The House of Representatives’ Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, had earlier sponsored a bill to that effect.

     

    What the bill seeks to address

    The bill, if passed, would amend relevant sections of the constitution to allow for a decentralised Police Force. It seeks to establish the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), thereby, giving room for the creation of the federal and state police. Like in the judiciary, it implies that there would be a State Police Service Commission (SPSC), which would be vested with the powers to review the activities of the state police bi-annually, recommend the appointment of a Commissioner of Police (CP), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to the NPSC in addition to appointment, discipline, and removal of members of the state police below the rank of ACP.

    The proposed law indicates that whereas the CP of a state may be removed on the grounds of misconduct, serious breach of policing standards, conviction by a court of law or tribunal, indictment by a judicial body or tribunal for corruption, participation in political activities, among others, such removal must be approved by two-thirds majority of the State House of Assembly.

    It provided details of the composition of the NPSC, indicating that it shall comprise a chairman, representatives of the National Human Rights Commission, Public Complaints Commission, Labour, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Attorney-General of each state. The commission shall also have six retired police officers not below the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), and all members must be confirmed by the Senate.

    For the SPSC, the bill stated that it shall comprise a representative of the federal government appointed by the NPSC, two members to be appointed by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), who must be indigenes of the respective states, a representative of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), one representative each from Labour Union, appointed by the chairman of the state chapter, NBA and NUJ.

    Others include three retired police officers to be appointed by the governor from the three senatorial districts and the commission’s chairman who must all be confirmed by the State House of Assembly.

    It stated thus: “The Federal Police shall be responsible for the maintenance of public security, preservation of public order and security of persons and property throughout the federation. The appointment of the Commissioner of Police of a state shall be by the Governor on the advice of the National Police Service Commission and subject to confirmation of the House of Assembly.

    “The term of office of the Commissioner of Police shall be for a period of five years only or until he attains a retirement age prescribed by law, whichever is earlier. The Governor or such other Commissioner of the Government of the State as he may authorise in that behalf may give to the Commissioner of Police such lawful directions with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order as he may consider necessary, and the Commissioner of Police shall comply with those directions or cause them to be complied with.

    “Provided that where the Commissioner of Police feels that any order given under this subsection is unlawful or contradicts general policing standards or practice, he may request that the matter be referred to the State Police Service Commission for review and the decision of the State Police Service Commission shall be final. prescribe a bi-annual certification review of the activities of State Police by the National Police Service Commission to ensure they meet up with approved national standards and guidelines of policing and their operations do not undermine national integrity, promote ethnic, tribal or sectional agenda or marginalize any segment of the society within the state.”

    The National Police Service Commission,  according to the bill, shall be responsible for the appointment of persons to offices (other than the office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Federal Police Service; exercising disciplinary control over members of the Federal Police; recommend to the Governor of a State the appointment, discipline or removal of the CP, DCP and ACP of State Police, as well as supervise the activities of Federal and State Police, prescribe standards for all police forces in the country in training, criminal intelligence databases, forensic laboratories, and render assistance to the State Police in areas as may be requested by such State Police.”

    However, the issue has remained controversial with proponents and critics making valid points to support their arguments.

     

    The case against state police

    In August last year, the Inspector-General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris; Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC) Musiliu Smith and former IG Sunday Ehindero were at a function in Lagos where they all spoke against the creation of state police.

    Their argument was that the country was not ripe for it and therefore, should concern itself more with ensuring adequate funding for the police. The security chiefs were also of the view that the police had tried the concept in the 1980s and early 1990s without success.

    To them, the concept failed when it deployed officers from the rank of Deputy Superintendent (DSP) and below to their respective local governments but they were caught between performing their constitutional roles and aiding their kinsmen who found themselves in one criminal situation or the other. They were of the view that a Security Trust Fund like that of Lagos, be established at the national level as to cater for funding, manpower, technological and scientific support, among others currently plaguing the force.

    Idris had said: “The police need the collaboration and synergy of the community where they are to effectively deal with crime in the policing space. We need the populace to give us information, intelligence and other supports in this crime fighting efforts. The police under my watch is committed to defeating all security challenges confronting our dear country, Nigeria.

    “We need the support of all Nigerians. We need more funding, we need manpower and we need technology and scientific support. Police officers and men need motivation, welfare and incentives to tackle bandits. We must eventually win the battle with your support and collaborative efforts and synergy.”

    Critics of the establishment of state police believe the concept is good but the timing is wrong. To them, it would become a ready tool in the hands of intolerant governors against their perceived enemies or opponents. They are also of the view that the country should focus on strengthening the existing police structure through capacity building, equipment, motivation and the freedom to function professionally, rather than duplicate 36 miniatures of a dysfunctional service, which would amount to more problems.

    They believe the way out would be to identify the problems of the Nigeria Police, such as “what is it that makes the police ineffective? Why are they not delivering on their mandate? Are they adequately trained? Do they have the required tools to function? Are they trained for purpose? Is the institutional structure right and do they have the guidelines for that function?” asked a Nigerian Air Force retired Wing Commander.

    He continued: “Let us assume the answers to these questions are no. Then, we have to look at how to solve them to make the police more efficient. How do we improve on their training? It is not about bringing state or community policing. If you like, make it house policing, that is for an individual to police his own house, if the requisite training is not given, that person would fail.

    “Until we solve the issue of capacity, structure, funding and governance of the police, we will not make a headway. We would have the same issues again and, this time, it will not be just one police force but 36 other police structures, and the problem would be compounded.

    Similarly, senior lawyer, Sylva Ogwemoh (SAN) said he does not subscribe to the creation of state police in the country because it would not provide the needed solution. He believes the important factor was to build institutions and develop processes in the conduct of our affairs.

    He said: “A crude governor will see the state police as a tool for dealing with political opponents and perceived enemies of his government. There is no doubt that the Nigeria Police of today does not have the required manpower, equipment and appropriate training to deal with organised crime in Nigeria. This is where the problem lies.

    “The police must be well equipped and the right physical, mental and psychological training provided to the officers to enable them effectively deal with our security problems. Until this is done, a resort to creation of state police will amount to a waste of precious time. God help Nigeria.”

    Former Minister of State, Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, shared a similar view using the July 14 elections in Ekiti State as a reference point. As beautiful as the idea is, Obanikoro said, creating state police would be the first step to Nigeria’s disintegration.

    He said: “The truth is that we are not matured enough to run state police. Look at the mismanagement of powers at the state level concerning local government elections and administration. The rate of human right abuses will go through the roof, particularly where political opponents are prominent in terms of grassroots support. We should do community policing and restructure the police command to give more control to state governors. Promotion and dismissal should have state governors’ input.

    “Imagine Ekiti with state police and what the federal police did to him (Fayose) during the last election. Granting state police will be the first step towards the disintegration of Nigeria. This is not an isolated situation. Rather, it is the norm under every administration in Nigeria.

    “The present police structure should not stand but it can be modified to create opportunities for the states to have a say in the recruitments and control. Therefore, there is need for radical police reform.”

    Despite the failings of the police, legal luminary, Dele Belgore, SAN, argued that decentralising the police is not the most important thing at the moment.

    He said: “The Nigeria Police Force today is a badly demoralised service and does not command the respect of Nigerians. If the Police Force is not properly repositioned through good training, orientation and improved conditions of service, creation of state police would merely localise the existing decay and the consequences could be more oppressive on the populace.

    “However, if there is genuine desire to reform the police, a decentralised Force would be easier to manage and can be made more effective. But creation of state police is simply for the sake of giving more powers and control to governors. That’s a recipe for disaster.

     

  • Herdsmen-farmers conflicts becoming more sophisticated, deadlier – UN envoy

    The Special Representative of UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, says the conflicts between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria are becoming more sophisticated and deadlier.

    Chambas, who is Head, UN Office for West African and the Sahel (UNOWAS), in a report presented to the UN Security Council, said the violence was a major security threat in the region, warning that it risks changing into terrorist attacks.

    “Violence between farmers and herders is increasingly a major security threat in the region and risks morphing into the terrorist attacks that have defined the security landscape.

    “Farmer-herder conflicts are becoming more sophisticated and deadlier, especially in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

    “During four days in June, new spates of attacks and retribution killings between herders and farmers in this region resulted in scores of deaths,’’ the UN envoy for said.

    In the Lake Chad Basin, Chambas said in spite of gains made by the Nigerian armed forces and the Multinational Joint Task Force, Boko Haram remained active.

    The UN envoy for West Africa and the Sahel said: “The trend of Boko Haram, using female suicide bombers continues, and reportedly almost one in five suicide bombers is a child.

    “The most recent attacks on a Nigerian military garrison in Yobe and the ambush of a military convoy in Borno are the latest manifestations of the threats still posed by Boko Haram.

    “There is a need for increased support to diplomatic, security and humanitarian responses to Boko Haram, in a holistic manner.

    “To this end, UNOWAS is providing technical support for a joint summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), on July 30, as called for by Security Council resolution 2349 (2017).

    He explained that the severe depletion of Lake Chad had led to environmental degradation, socio-economic marginalisation and insecurity for 45 million people.

    According to him, an estimated 2.3 million people remain displaced by the aggregate effects of insecurity and climate change.

    He appealed to Member States to support the humanitarian response to the Lake Chad crisis, which remains critically underfunded and revitalisation of the Lake Chad Basin.

    “Let me stress that any military response to security challenges in the region needs to be matched by the implementation of comprehensive strategies linking security and humanitarian interventions to development and human rights initiatives.

    “There is also need to increase our collective efforts to address the challenges facing the Sahel region with actions that combine politics, security and development,’’ Chambas stressed.

    He said the period under review saw an upsurge in popular discontent in the region manifested through often violent demonstrations calling for political and economic reforms.

    “The sometimes violent conduct of security forces, notably in dealing with popular demonstrations, has also fuelled political tensions.

    “Commitment by countries of the region and support from the international community will be key to ensuring the effectiveness and accountability of security sector institutions as part of broader security sector reform efforts.

    “Several countries continue to struggle with justice, national reconciliation and human rights challenges.

    “Among those is the concerning number of high-profile arrests, judicial prosecutions and convictions against political and civil society actors.

    “We must collectively continue to urge Member States to provide an enabling environment for the exercise of the freedoms of expression and assembly, which are critical in consolidating democracy and good governance,’’ the UN envoy said.

    He said UNOWAS would continue to closely monitor the situation with forthcoming elections in Nigeria, Mauritania and Senegal.

    “In some countries of the region, including Nigeria, UNOWAS is working closely with ECOWAS and other partners to support the establishment of national peace architectures that can provide a systematic and inclusive approach to the prevention, management and resolution of conflict.’’ (NAN)

  • Find lasting solution to farmers, herders crisis – NANS tells FG

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government to find lasting solution to the persistent farmers and herders crisis.

    The association’s spokesman, Mr Bestman Okereafor, made the appeal in Enugu.

    He said that the consistent farmers and herdsmen crisis had claimed lives and rendered many Nigerians homeless.

    “NANS is suggesting to the Federal Government to regulate the activities of the herdsmen across the federation by considering ranching that is in the long run for Nigerian herdsmen,’’ Okereafor said in statement.

    He, however, cautioned a former Minister of Science and Technology, retired Maj.-Gen. Sam Momah, who was currently quoted as allegedly saying “Nigeria may cease to be as a country in the next 12 years if nothing was done to restructure it.’’

    “NANS considers this speech made by Maj.-Gen. Momah as an unwarranted one, and one capable of causing unnecessary tension in the country at this time when the country is undergoing some security challenges.

    “Rather, we expect him as a former minister of the country to spread and preach the gospel of peace as 2019 General Elections beckons,’’ Okereafor said.

  • Data capturing of herdsmen begins in Southwest

    The Southwest Farmers Association of Nigeria and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) met yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to discuss how to maintain peaceful co-existence in the region.

    The Chairman of the farmers’ association, Mr Segun Dasaolu, said the meeting was convened to streamline the relationship between herdsmen and farmers in the zone.

    Dasaolu said the meeting was called to also plan how to create a data bank of all the herdsmen and farmers to ensure easy identification.

    He said: “The most friendly zone for herdsmen is the Southwest. That is why we and herdsmen hardly have any crisis as such.

    “We have agreed today that there must be clear identity of every herdsman in the Southwest through data capturing.”

    MACBAN’s National President, Alhaji Mahammadu Kirowo, promised to keep to the terms of the agreement.

    He said: “The association’s data base will be created by the headquarters in Abuja; any other one is counterfeit.

    “We are peacemakers in the Southwest. Our herdsmen are proud of living in peace.

    “We don’t support any criminal act, violence or any form of evil. Let us fish out the criminals in our society.

    “We are peacemakers in our association and not perpetrators of crisis.”

    The Onido of Iddo town in Oyo State, Oba Gbolagade Babalola, urged local government chairmen and traditional rulers to hold frequent meetings with herdsmen.

    He also stressed the need for herdsmen to have identification cards.

  • ‘Policy on safe cattle rearing practice will end killings by herdsmen’

    A former Managing Director of LASACO Insurance, Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi, has urged the Muhammadu Buhari administration to put in place a policy on safe and innovative ways of rearing cattle in the country.

    He said this will curb the incessant herdsmen-farmers clashes which result in deaths and threaten national stability and development.

    Ladipo-Ajayi noted that although open grazing is no longer fashionable in the present circumstance, but the herdsmen-farmers clashes across the country could have been avoided if the nation’s traditional grazing routes were not overrun by Nigerians who he said erect houses on them without regards to the consequences on other people and the environment.

    The retired insurance man spoke at the weekend while delivering the second public lecture at the D. S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Eruku, Ogun State.

    The lecture, titled: Inclusive growth, Entrepreneurship and Personal Development: A Triune tool for Sustainable Development, was organised by the School of Management Sciences of the stated-owned ICT polytechnic.

     

  • Curfew in Plateau as herdsmen kill 86

    •‘11 bodies recovered’ •Fulani group: we’ve lost 300 cows

    Attacks by gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen on revenge mission at the weekend led to the death of many people in two Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

    But the police said 11 people died.

    Governor Simon Lalong, who was attending the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja, cut short his stay to return home to slam curfew on three councils as tension continued to rise.

    The villages were attacked between 11pm on Saturday and 3am on Sunday, it was leant.

    The Special Military Taskforce in charge of security in Plateau State, Operation Safe Haven, failed to prevent the attack.

    The villages attacked are Xland, Gindin Akwati, Ruku, Nghar, Kura Falls and Kakuruk, all in Gashish District, as well as Rakok, Kok and Razat in Ropp District.

    Villages around Shonong in Bachit District of Riyom Local Government Area were also attacked.

    A resident of Xland, Bulus Dung, who escaped the attack, said: “The gunmen were Fulani; there is no doubt about that, because we have been seeing mass movement of armed Fulani at night. We reported the strange movement to the military task force a week ago but they failed to prevent it.”

    The Nation learnt that Berom villages – Xland, Gindin Akwati, Kura Falls, Nghar and Ruku – were completely sacked.

    In Nghar, many bodies were recovered as the entire village was razed. Many have been declared wanted after the attacks while survivors were believed to be hiding in bushes.

    The task force office in Barkin Ladi, known as “Sector 7”, is currently hosting more than 200 victims who escaped the attacks, mostly women and children.

    The lawmaker representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom in the House of Representatives, Istifanus Gyang, described the attack as “a senseless bloodbath”.

    Spokeperson of the military taskforce, Major Umar Adam, said the taskforce had launched rescue operations and evacuated some victims to the hospital.

    He said: “I can confirm that the attack was perpetrated by yet-to-be identified gunmen, and while we embark on rescue operation, a detachment of our men went after the gunmen and arrested some of them; they are in our custody for investigations.

    “But is difficult for me to give the casualty figure for now because rescue teams are still in the bush; we can only get the figure of casualties at the end of the rescue operation.”

    The Plateau State government is “deeply pained that despite efforts which has led to the restoration of relative peace in the state, some unpatriotic elements are bent on disrupting the gains so far made”.

    A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Rufus Bature, said: “The government condemns these attacks and has mobilised the full compliments of security forces who are restoring normalcy in the affected areas and the environs.

    “The government holds every single live as sacred hence, has mobilised medical and relief agencies to ameliorate the suffering of those in distress.

    “A 6pm to 6am curfew will continue in Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom councils until normalcy is restored.”

    Though the attacks were concentrated on Barkin Ladi, there is heavy tension in neighbouring Mangu, Bokkos and Riyom councils.

    Youths in Jos South council were said to have blocked the federal highway to protest the attacks in Barkin Ladi.

    The Police confirmed the death of 11 persons.

    Its spokesman, Terna Tyopev, said: “The gunmen invaded the villages on Saturday and killed several people. Based on the number of bodies recovered and buried, we can confirm 11 killed.

    “However, more people might have died because many families had buried their dead before the police arrived.”

    Tyopev added that some bodies were deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) mortuary and security had been tightened in the affected villages to restore peace.

    The Chairman, North Central zone of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Danladi Ciroma, condemned the attacks.

    He added: “These attacks are retaliatory. As much as I don’t support the killing of human being, the truth must be told that those who carried out the attacks must be on revenge mission.

    “There have been recent reports of cow rustling and destruction of farms between Berom farmers and Fulani herdsmen. The people carrying out these criminal activities are well known to the communities but the communities are hiding them.

    “Fulani herdsmen have lost about 300 cows in the last few weeks – 94 cows were rustled by armed Berom youths in Fan village, another 36 cows were killed by Berom youths. In addition to that, 174 cattle were rustled and the criminals disappeared with them to Mangu.

    “Since these cows were not found, no one should expect peace in the areas. Even soldiers that went after the criminals to recover the rustled cows were shot by the armed rustlers and eventually escaped with all the cows.

    “The government of Governor Lalong has done a lot to restore peace, but the criminal elements hiding among their people are the ones frustrating these peace efforts.

    “Though the security agencies have tried, they need to do more by being fair to all parties; they should not neglect any report presented by Fulani of Berom because such report can lead to attacks and deaths if not properly handled.

    “Criminals thrive a lot in Berom communities, but when the Fulani, who are always victims of their crime, react with attacks, they blame the government.

    “These communities have leaders, why hide the criminals? They should fish out the criminals and hand them over to security agencies to avoid death of innocent ones.

    “As it is today, the Berom man cannot go to farm, the Fulani cannot breed his cows in Berom Land. This can be stopped if the security agencies do more than what they are currently doing. The attacks will stop as soon as the security agencies stop Berom youths from stealing Fulani cows”

  • Suspected herdsmen kill 11 in Plateau

    The Police Command in Plateau has confirmed the killing of 11 persons in attacks on Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government.

    Also hit were Daffo and Kuba communities in Bokkos Local Government.

    Mr Terna Tyopev, the command’s spokesman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Jos that many other villages were hit by the gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.

    “The gunmen invaded the villages on Saturday and killed several people. Based on the number of corpses recovered and buried, we can confirm 11 killed,” he said.

    He said, however, that more people might have died because many families had buried their dead relatives before the Policemen arrived,” he said.

    Tyopev said that some dead bodies had been deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) mortuary, adding that security had been beefed up in affected villages to restore peace.

    Capt. Umar Adams, spokesman of `Operation Safe Haven’, the military task force maintaining peace in Plateau, who also spoke on the attacks, described them as “unfortunate”.

    “We are aware of the unfortunate attacks, but I cannot confirm how many people were killed,” he told NAN.

    Meanwhile, Gov Simon Lalong has charged security agencies to double their efforts toward ending the persistent attacks on rural communities in the state.
    A statement signed by Mr Yakubu Dati, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, said that the governor rushed to the state on Sunday, cutting short his participation in the ongoing All Progressives Convention (APC) convention holding in Abuja.
    It quoted Lalong as describing the incessant attacks as “devastating”.
    “The governor has directed  security agencies to end the attacks and apprehend the assailants. He has also challenged them to be proactive so as to restore stability to Plateau,” the statement said.
    It further quoted Lalong as commiserating with families of the victims and promising to settle the bills of those injured and in hospitals. (NAN)

  • ‘Proposed ranches, ploy to grab land for herdsmen’

    The National Christian Elders Forum on Friday kicked against the proposed plan by the Federal Government to set up ranches in 10 states, saying it is a ploy to grab lands for Fulani herdsmen across the country.

    The association also added that it was part of what it called stealth jihad to take over land belonging to other Nigerians and give to the herdsmen who would subsequently appoint Emirs and claim ownership of the land.

    Addressing a press conference in Abuja the NCEF Chairman, Solomon Asemota, SAN, admonished Nigerians to interpret the Federal Government’s decision against the history of land and land reforms in the country.

    He noted that previous land reforms in the country had benefitted only the Fulani, noting that their Emirs were made the custodian of land taken from their original owners.

    The Christian elders said, “The proposed ranches were meant to take land for the Fulani jihad and Nigerians should do everything within their power within the law to resist moves to take their land. Most people who supported the decision didn’t understand the plan.”

  • Herdsmen kill five in Nasarawa

    A Tiv farmer and three members of his family were on Tuesday killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Antsa village in Keana local government area of Nasarawa State.

    The incident took place just as herdsmen launched another attack on farmers at their farms at Gada-Biu villgage in Obi local government area, killing one person.

    At least 20 other persons were seriously wounded in the attack.

    Speaking to journalists on the Antsa attack, an eyewitness, Dennis Utsa, said the killings occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

    Utsa said: “As I speak to you, security operatives have been mobilized to the scene to recover the corpses from the farm to Kadarko town.”