From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State chapter, Mohammed Risku, has alleged that men in military and paramilitary uniforms are responsible for the renewed attacks and killings in the state.
Speaking to newsmen in Makurdi on Thursday, Risku claimed that at least 31 herders of Fulani origin, including women and children, have been killed in Benue between January and April 2024 by these unidentified persons.
He stated that the unknown killers usually target herders and farmers living along the Benue and Nasarawa border communities.
“Whenever these unknown people enter the communities, they will begin to attack our people, kill them, kill our cows, and even kill local farmers too,” Risku lamented.
He expressed concern over the lack of action taken by the joint military operations covering Benue and Nasarawa States despite repeated reports of these killings.
“The other day, 11 children were killed around Doma/Gwer West border areas. Again, six herders were killed in Gwer West. They were attacked on bikes and killed by unknown people,” he said.
“Even at Guma LGA, one herder was attacked and killed, his bike was taken away. All these killings happened this year 2024.”
Risku advocated for the establishment of a special joint security committee by the state government, comprising farmers, herders, and other stakeholders, to curb the killings in communities facing incessant attacks.
He also announced a statewide advocacy tour of border communities in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States in collaboration with the Benue State Government. The tour aims to sensitize the people on security and address the issue of incessant attacks.
“We will meet with the Fulani Ardos around the border areas of Agatu, Doma, Gwer West, Logo, and Guma LGAs to sensitize them about entrenchment of peace and security,” Risku said.
“We are also going to move to Wukari LGA and Kanshimbla area of Takum LGA of Taraba State respectively to meet with these critical stakeholders.”
Meanwhile, MACBAN secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Galma, stated that the leadership of the Fulani herders in the State has been advocating for a special joint security committee, but the government is yet to approve it.
Speaking on the attacks in Adoka/Apa and Gwer West LGAs, Galma said it was difficult to ascertain whether Fulani herdsmen were responsible, as they have no representatives in the area.
“We have been hearing about the attacks and killings in those areas, but we cannot actually allude to if Fulani herdsmen are behind it because we have no representatives from that axis,” he said.
“Those herders around those areas are strange people, and we believe that they are finding their roots from Nasarawa State. This information I am giving you, I believe that the police know about it because the entrance is through Rukubi where they crossed the border.”
“We don’t have anything to do on the issue of attacks and killings. We can only exonerate ourselves from it,” Galma concluded.