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| Fulani herdsman with Ak47 |
Barely 48 hours after Fulani herdsmen reportedly
killed no fewer than 11 people in Berom in Barkin Ladi local government
area of Plateau state, the armed bandits have attack the palace of a
traditional ruler.
Nigerian
Pilot reports that Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday attacked the palace of
the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Alfred Torkula, and exiled him from
his palace.
This was made known by the paramount Ruler of Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, Chief Daniel Abomtse.
Abomtse’s disclosure came five days after people were killed and several others kidnapped in an attack carried out by Fulani insurgents on Jootar community in Logo Local Government Area of the state.
The traditional ruler, who spoke at his Makurdi Government House Lodge while playing host to the newly elected leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Benue State Council, revealed that the Tor Tiv is from Guma Local Government Area.
According to him, Guma council is one of the worst affected local government areas in the state by the Fulani herdsmen insurgency, where his family compound was razed last year.
“As I speak with you, Fulani insurgents have taken over the village of Tor Tiv. His Royal Majesty, Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula, can no longer attend burial and other functions in his community. They walk freely with guns and all I know is that the invasion is a conspiracy against Tiv people and Benue community. These insurgents, who disguise as herders, seize everything belonging to our people; and if nothing urgently is done, it therefore means that Benue State, and by implication, Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gun powder due to our strategic location,” he said.
The monarch alleged that nine districts in his domain were being controlled by the insurgents, whom he maintained were not “ordinary” nomads.
“These are trained snipers; they go around with sophisticated weapons and what we notice is that they are not the ordinary nomads we know. These gunmen come into Benue from Nasarawa State and we want Governor Tanko Al-Makura to be made to answer for this,” Abomtse said.
It was further gathered that the armed herdsmen stormed Jootar community in Ukemberagya/Twarev ward of the Logo Local Government Area between last Saturday and Tuesday, shooting sporadically and razing houses and farm produce.
It was also gathered from fleeing residents of the attacked community that the assailants have surrounded other neighbouring communities and might be unleashing mayhem on them soonest.
Responding to the report, Joseph Anawah, the special assistant to the governor on media, condemned the incessant attacks which have lingered on despite the presence of armed security operatives in the area.
Anawah revealed that Fulani herdsmen attacks have displaced farmers across the council and called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the problem.
When contacted, the State Police Command spokesman, ASP Amaechi Ezeani, confirmed the incident but assured that no life was lost in the recent attack.
The incessant attacks and killings being carried out by fulani herdsmen in parts of the North really need Federal Government urgent attention.
Recall that Nigerian Pilot on Monday reported that Fulani gunmen stormed Berom in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State and killed seven people from same family, as well as others people from a nearby village.
Just few months ago, suspected fulani herdsmen also killed 26 people and burnt over 80 houses in Riyom local government area of Plateau state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
This was made known by the paramount Ruler of Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, Chief Daniel Abomtse.
Abomtse’s disclosure came five days after people were killed and several others kidnapped in an attack carried out by Fulani insurgents on Jootar community in Logo Local Government Area of the state.
The traditional ruler, who spoke at his Makurdi Government House Lodge while playing host to the newly elected leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Benue State Council, revealed that the Tor Tiv is from Guma Local Government Area.
According to him, Guma council is one of the worst affected local government areas in the state by the Fulani herdsmen insurgency, where his family compound was razed last year.
“As I speak with you, Fulani insurgents have taken over the village of Tor Tiv. His Royal Majesty, Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula, can no longer attend burial and other functions in his community. They walk freely with guns and all I know is that the invasion is a conspiracy against Tiv people and Benue community. These insurgents, who disguise as herders, seize everything belonging to our people; and if nothing urgently is done, it therefore means that Benue State, and by implication, Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gun powder due to our strategic location,” he said.
The monarch alleged that nine districts in his domain were being controlled by the insurgents, whom he maintained were not “ordinary” nomads.
“These are trained snipers; they go around with sophisticated weapons and what we notice is that they are not the ordinary nomads we know. These gunmen come into Benue from Nasarawa State and we want Governor Tanko Al-Makura to be made to answer for this,” Abomtse said.
It was further gathered that the armed herdsmen stormed Jootar community in Ukemberagya/Twarev ward of the Logo Local Government Area between last Saturday and Tuesday, shooting sporadically and razing houses and farm produce.
It was also gathered from fleeing residents of the attacked community that the assailants have surrounded other neighbouring communities and might be unleashing mayhem on them soonest.
Responding to the report, Joseph Anawah, the special assistant to the governor on media, condemned the incessant attacks which have lingered on despite the presence of armed security operatives in the area.
Anawah revealed that Fulani herdsmen attacks have displaced farmers across the council and called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the problem.
When contacted, the State Police Command spokesman, ASP Amaechi Ezeani, confirmed the incident but assured that no life was lost in the recent attack.
The incessant attacks and killings being carried out by fulani herdsmen in parts of the North really need Federal Government urgent attention.
Recall that Nigerian Pilot on Monday reported that Fulani gunmen stormed Berom in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State and killed seven people from same family, as well as others people from a nearby village.
Just few months ago, suspected fulani herdsmen also killed 26 people and burnt over 80 houses in Riyom local government area of Plateau state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
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