Military authorities have confirmed the killings and theft of 113 herds of cows by unknown armed persons at Kwal, in Bassa local government area of Plateau state.
The Media and Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major Adam Umar, who confirmed the killing of the cows, said the incident occurred around the dam, opposite the College of Accountancy in Kwal when the cows were grazing.
Major Umar however said he cannot give the actual figures of cows killed and those rustled, but assured that the Task force was doing everything possible to trail the assailants.
However, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Malam Nura Abdullahi, said 81 cows were killed, 32 others rustled and 48 injured.
He said in a statement made available to Blueprint that MACBAN has officially informed the State Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyede, as well as the OPSH.
“We have reported the incident to the OPSH sector 6. I personally reported to the Commissioner of Police who advised that I take the matter to the DPO for documentation which has been done. The area commander and the DPO have visited the scene and seen the evidence for them,” he said.
Abdullahi said the 48 cows that were injured in the attack had to be slaughtered to prevent further loss, adding that the Police had called for a peace meeting between the Irigwe community and the Fulani.
Similarly, the Jonde Jam Fulani Youth Association of Nigeria, at the weekend described the attackers as “Irigwe militants carrying sophisticated weapons.”
Phone calls and WattsApp messages to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tyopev Terna, were not picked at the time of compiling this report.
