Herdsmen Raise the Alarm over Incessant Attacks, Killings in Plateau  

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Plateau state has raised the alarm over the increasing rate of attacks and killing of Fulani in virtually all parts of the state, noting that the development has undermined the pursuit of peace which the state government claims to be committed to.

In a statement signed by the state Chairman of the association, Alhaji Mohammad Nuru, the Fulani added that over ten Fulani have been killed across the villages in recent days, declaring that the state has become unsafe for Fulani.

He said, “The reports reaching us from our branch offices across the state show that there is an execution plan by some disgruntled elements and terrorist group to tactically attack and kill herdsmen in the state, describing them as people that don’t want peace in the state.

“Our analysis shows that over ten (10) innocent Fulani herdsmen have been secretly attacked and killed in different parts of the state in the month of October 2017.”

The statement identified the victims to include; Salihu Bello and Mairo Halilu, who were killed at Dorowa in Barkin Ladi local government area “by suspected Berom mobs”; six herdsmen killed and beheaded “by Irigwe killers in Bassa local government area; Mallam Dari Abubakar, killed at Dyal in Riyom “by Berom hoodlums”; and Musa Sarkin Tenam, a Fulani rice farmer, who was killed in his farm while harvesting his rice “by Tarok youths.”

Nuru added that the most recent incident was the killing of Alhaji Adamu Abdulmumini, an aged man in his seventies, who was attacked and macheted to death in Changal village of Pushit district in Mangu local government area.

He added that in all the cases, it is either that the culprits were not arrested, or they were released immediately without investigation by the security agents.

While calling on the Federal and state governments and indeed the security agents to ensure that all Nigerians are safe wherever they decide to reside, the Fulani described the current happening in the state as a “dark period in our history in Plateau.”

“The unprovoked attacks on the herdsmen across the state is a clear indication that no part of Plateau State is safe for us. It is therefore, on the account of the unabated killings that we are calling on the government and security agencies to take an immediate action by putting all measures on ground to ensure the arrest of killers and their subsequent prosecution to serve as deterrent to others”, the statement proffered.