Suspected herdsmen kill 3 SARS operatives, 8 farmers, raze houses in Nasarawa
- Not less than three operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and eight farmers in Nasarawa have been killed in a herdsmen attack
- Police reported that the suspected herdsmen also burnt down many houses in Mararaba Udege community of the state
- But Hussain Mohammed, the state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) condemned the attack and vowed to help the security agency in arresting the suspects
About three personnel of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nasarawa police command have been murdered in an ambush in Mararaba Udege community by suspected herdsmen.
Added to this, eight farmers were reportedly killed with many houses burnt down in Aisa and Aguma areas of the state on Sunday, June 3, Punch reports.
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Going by investigations from newsmen, it was revealed that the security operatives were on their way to intervene in the long conflicts between the herdsmen in the area when they were attacked.
ASP Ismaila Usman, the police public relations officer in the state, confirmed the development to journalists on Tuesday, June 5.
He said: “There was a conflict between the Agatus and Fulani herdsmen when an Agatu man shot a Fulani man on the foot and went away with his Bajaj motorcycle.
“As the Fulani went on a reprisal, the attention of the police was drawn and we quickly swung into action to ensure that normalcy returned to the area, but unfortunately, our operatives were ambushed and three of them were killed.”
Usman said an inspector, a sergeant and a corporal lost their lives in the attack and that no arrest had been made so far. He said that order had returned to the area, stating that a police team led by an assistant commissioner of police had been deployed in the area to fully restore peace.
He, however, added that the remains of the deceased officers had been recovered and deposited in an undisclosed hospital in the state.
Alhaji Ahmed Kwanaki, the traditional ruler of Agatu chiefdom, revealed that about eight of his people were killed by the herdsmen.
He gave the names of those killed as Sale Ozala, Oyigoso Sale, Danladi Joko, Abdulahi Musa, Adamu Haruna, Musa Adamu, Yakubu Sale, and Shehu Sabo (Bassa man).
The traditional chief, who was visibly angry over the killings in his chiefdom, appealed to the state and federal governments to, as a matter of urgency deploy troops in the area.
He stated that the security operatives earlier deployed the heated spot have been overpowered by the Fulani herders “as they could not move to the interior where they are operating.”
But Hussain Mohammed, the state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), claimed that the Agatu attacked the Fulani before they revenged.
However, Mohammed decried the killing of the security operatives and vowed to aid the speedy arrest and arraignment of the suspects.
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Mohammed stated: “If the perpetrators are Fulani people, we will expose them and ensure they are made to face the law. Agatu people should also expose criminals among them in order to help in ending the crisis."
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that several attacks launched on communities in Kwande and Otukpo local government areas of Benue state by suspected herdsmen and cultists had reportedly led to the death of 18 people while several others sustained injuries.
The attacks were reportedly launched by herdsmen and cultists. While herdsmen’ attack killed ten people in Kwande, cult groups clash claimed eight in Otukpo local government.
Nigerian herdsmen vs Nigerian farmers - On Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
