Tag: Suspected herdsmen

SUSPECTED herdsmen in Ojah, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, has cut the hand of a farmer, identified as Arowolo Jerome.

Jerome was said to have been attacked at his farm after he refused to give food to five herdsmen.

A source at the hospital where he was rushed to, said the victim stated that the cutlass was aimed at his neck but he used his hand to block it.

The source said Jerome was rescued by farmers who heard his cry for help.

But another source said the herdsmen attacked Arowolo because some of their cows died in his farm.

But a local vigilante said two of the attackers have been arrested.

The vigilante said the five attackers entered Ojah through a bush path from Okpella axis and saw Jerome in his farm.

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He said Jerome, who understand Hausa language, heard them saying they should cut off his head, which made him use his hand to block his head.

It was gathered that farmers and hunters assisted in the arrest of the two attackers, now in Police net in Auchi, Estako West.

Police spokesman Chidi Nwabuzor, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), could not be reached for comments.

SUSPECTED herdsmen have killed three persons in Dogon Daji community and torched part of Antang Village, near Godogodo in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The  Godogodo axis has been under intense siege of alleged herdsmen since July.

According to the residents of the affected villages, the itinerant herdsmen  have been forcing them out of their communities, claiming that their farmlands have been designated as Grazing Reserves by the government.

The council’s Acting  Chairman Humble Katuka who confirmed the raids, said that only two were killed in Dogon Daji and two houses burnt in Antang.

He said: “Report reaching me said that two people were killed in Dogon Daji, and then they burnt two houses in Atang.

“They diverted the attention of the police and soldiers stationed in Godogodo and sneaked to these areas to wreak havoc. But, security have been beefed up and I shall personally go there later to inspect what has happened.”

However, a source from Dogon Daji said: “This morning (yesterday), a group of herdsmen attacked our village (Dogon Daji). They killed three people. And injured about six others. I am not sure, because we have to move out women and children. Then, the armed herdsmen moved to Antang and burnt part of the village and injured some people.”

Last Saturday, Godogodo, which has been hosting thousands of displaced persons, was attacked by some armed herdsmen. Four vigilance group members were said to have been killed in the attack.

A statement from acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman said: “Gallant troops of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, in a joint operation with personnel of Nigeria Police and local vigilantes have today repelled a coordinated attack by gunmen on Godogodo town of Kaduna State.

“The troops fought off the attackers and pursued them into the bush inflicting heavy casualty on them.

“The combined security team also arrested the following six suspects: Lawal Gambo, Yau Sani, Bala Amodu, Ibrahim Maikaru, Abubakar Hassan and Bashiru Isa Ciroma.

“Unfortunately, four local vigilance group members lost their lives while another nine were wounded in the course of countering the dastardly attack meant to cause more loss of lives and properties of law abiding citizens of Godogodo Town.

“The situation in Godogo Town has since returned to normalcy and efforts are ongoing to track the remaining fleeing bandits.

“We wish to reassure citizens that the effort to safeguard life and property will continue with renewed vigour until all the rampaging bandits are brought to justice.

“You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your esteemed medium,” Usman said..

Suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked Dori and Mesuma villages in Gashaka Local Government of Taraba State on Sunday, killing 15 people, police said yesterday.

Residents said more than 40 people were killed and houses razed by the attackers.

Addressing reporters at the headquarters of the command, Police Commissioner Shaba Alkali said the herdsmen launched attacks on the two villages on Sunday, about 11am.

“A group of people, numbering about 20, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, invaded and attacked Dori and Mesuma villages via Garbabi ward, Gashaka Local Government, and burnt thatched houses, forcing the villagers to flee to Mayo-Selbe and Sabon Gida,” the police chief said.

He added: “Eight people were killed in Dori village and seven in Mesuma.”

Alkali said when he got the report from the divisional police officer (DPO) in Serti, he mobilised his men and deployed them in the area.

He said the officers could not access the villages with their vehicles due to the poor state of roads.

The police boss said the operatives spent hours trekking to the villages.

He said over 40 mobile police personnel were redeployed from Yola, Adamawa State to the affected areas.

Alkali said detectives cordoned off routes to the communities.

“My detectives are around Bali to make sure that those that carried out the attacks are arrested,” he said.

According to him, two suspects have been arrested.

The police commissioner paraded a 52-year-old man, Ardo Ayuba Iliyasu, as the mastermind of the Dori and Mesuma villages’ attacks.

He said Iliyasu convened a meeting of a large number of persons in his home at Garbabi village a few hours before the attacks were launched.

But when interviewed by reporters, the suspect denied involvement in the killings.

The cause of the attacks was not known at press time.