Suspected herdsmen kill 4, steal motorcycles in fresh raid

Punch reports that the attackers stormed the village around 10pm on Thursday, February 1, 2018 after Governor Darius Ishaku, raised an alarm of an impending attack on the state.

It was also reported that the suspected herdsmen stole some motorcycles and other valuables in the attack which has heightened tension in the area.

A community leader, Tyav Ngutswen, insisted that the attackers were herdsmen saying his people were sleeping when they were attacked.

ALSO READ: People are planning to attack Taraba - Gov Ishaku

Ngutswen alleged further that problem started after some cows belonging to one Dapel Lolo and one another Buruti invaded farms and caused serious damage.

“We caught 12 of their cows that eat our crops and handed over to them peacefully, but we demanded a compensation of N40,000 which they reluctantly paid, but threatened to attack us,” he reportedly said.

“I can confirm to you that Alhaji Buruti’s sons were among the over 20 of herdsmen who attacked us.

“We can’t stay here because there is no security, that’s why we are rushing to conduct the burial and leave before it gets dark.”

ALSO READ: Suspected herdsmen kill 7, burn houses

Police confirms attack on village

The Taraba police command has confirmed the attack on the Ngutswen village.

Spokesman of the state police command, David Misal, confirmed the attack on the village on Friday, February 2, 2018.

Misal, however, dismissed reports that they were herdsmen, saying the command is yet to ascertain the identity of the perpetrators.

The police spokesman also said the command received information of the attack around 3am but arrived at the scene after it had occurred.

“Some people suspected to be armed robbers invaded the community. They shot four people dead and catered away motorcycles.

“No arrest has been made so far. Before we arrived the scene, they had ran away. So we are gathering intelligence and trying to see how we can arrest the perpetrators.

“Nobody can say at the moment if they were herdsmen or not. Their mode of operation was to attack the people and cart away their motorcycles, just like armed robbers.

“So what we have so far gathered shows they are armed robbers. Form the look of things, it was an armed robbery incident and we are yet to verify the identities of the attackers,” he said.

Meanwhile the Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim has reportedly said that the implementation of the anti-grazing law in Benue State caused the recent massacre of its people by Fulani herdsmen.

Herdsmen attacks in 2018

Cattle herders have been linked to a string of violent killings across the country in the first month of 2018.

In the most devastating attacks that heralded the turn of the new year, a series of attacks in Guma and Logo Local Government Area of Benue State between December 31, 2017, and January 6, 2018 led to the death of 73 men, women and children.

Herders have also been linked to several other attacks in Taraba, Plateau and Ekiti that have left dozens dead, and more injured.

Government's plan to stop herdsmen crisis

The Nigerian presidency believes that bandits masquerading as herdsmen are behind the killings across the country.

To this end, “decisive military force will now be fully engaged to deal with the bandits believed to be behind the killings in parts of the country especially regarding the crisis often associated with herdsmen”, a highly placed presidency official told Pulse.

The role of “bandits and suspected mercenaries in what has become known as has provoked the need for a fresh approach to dealing with the crisis, sources close to the Working Group formed recently by the National Economic Council (NEC) disclosed on the condition of anonymity; because they haven't been authorized to speak on the subject.

The Working Group

The Working Group was formed a little over a week ago by the National Economic Council. It has nine Governors and is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The group held a meeting on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting was attended by the Vice President and Adamawa State governor, Jibrilla Bindow; Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi; Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong; Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai; and Zamfara State governor, Abdul'aziz Yari.