From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Not fewer than 13 persons have been arrested in Makurdi the Benue State capital, after herdsmen attacked officers of the Benue State Livestock Guards (BSLG), leaving three with various degrees of injuries.
It was gathered that trouble started on Friday 14th June 2024 at about 4 pm to 6:30 pm when herdsmen aided by some boys from Wadata area of Makurdi attacked the state security personnel in the Kwua community located close to Modern Market Makurdi, for impounding their cattle.
A local who witnessed the incident, Moses Aondover, told newsmen on Saturday that three personnel of the livestock guards were seriously wounded during the clash.
Aondover narrated that, on Friday 14th June, at about 2-4 pm, some members of the Kwua community sighted herders grazing their cattle openly, destroying farm crops in the area and quickly drew the attention of personnel of the Livestock Guards who swiftly responded.
He stated that as soon as the Guards came to the area, the herders took to their heels leaving their cows behind.
He said the cattle were immediately impounded by the guards and were taking them to their office for violation of anti open grazing law in the State when they came under attack.
“The Fulani herders ran to Wadata area of the town and informed their boys in wadata that their cows have been rustled. They then mobilized themselves to the area and on reaching the community, they discovered that the cows have been moved.
“So, the herders in collaboration with their boys who were heavily armed, went after the officers of the guards, intercepted the cows close to the Modern Market gate in Makurdi and started shooting sporadically in order to rescue the cows.”
He claimed that during the shooting, two persons were gunned down while three others were macheted.
The special adviser to the Benue State Governor on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Har, PSP, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Saturday, saying the livestock guards were attacked by herdsmen and some gang in Kwua community.
He said the livestock Guards apprehended the cattle but they came under attack at the modern market gate by youths numbering up to 60, armed with guns and machetes from Wadata, who shot and severally cut personnel of the BSLG and recovered the cattle.
According to him “Yesterday, cattle were astray and was grazing on farms by the river bank without shepherds. Livestock Guards went and apprehended it but the Fulani and Hausa gang came with guns and machetes and recovered the cattle.
“They cut the officers the same way they cut our farmers and even shot but unfortunately got their person. The officers are receiving treatment in a the hospital,” he said.
He also stated that Operation Zenda, a joint Police task force, were drafted to the place but the boys resisted and they couldn’t penetrate.
Irked by “the obstruction, assault, criminal force, intimidation and causing grievous hurt by hoodlums from Wadata”, Har said the Benue State Internal Security in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force, on 15th June 2024, raided the Wadata abattoir and Awe street in Makurdi and arrested 13 persons.
He condemned the attack saying “For a group of youths to pick arms against the state officials in the state capital is a source of concern and worry.
“This morning, a combination of the Anti Cultism, Zenda, D5, Benue State Community Personnel Guards (BSCPG) and the BSLG swung into action and conducted an operation where two more persons were arrested and the Bajaj motorbike that the Wadata boys stole was recovered from them.
“The team proceeded to the notorious Awe street where 11 persons were also arrested,” he said.
The Security Adviser stated that the Anti Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law isn’t meant to be against the Fulani people but is to be obeyed by anyone that wishes to rear cattle in the state warning that the state government will not condone disobedience to the law in any form.