Owing to misunderstanding, it was reported that over 300 cows were recently killed in parts of Bassa and Jos South LGA of Plateau state in which residents fear a reprisal attack. MUHAMMAD TANKO SHITTU writes.
In the recent past, appreciable relative peace has been witnessed in Plateau state, especially the crisis-prone areas in the northern fringe of the state, however, recent killing of hundreds of cows is threating that relative peace.
Before now, farmers/herders clashes had led to loss of human lives and destruction of crops with killings and rustling of cows characterising the style of the crime in areas like Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South and Bassa LGA.
While relative peace is sustained in some of the localities, others like Irigwe/Miango areas are having difficulties in quenching the issues leading to the crisis. It specifically became another cause for concern when on April 29 2019, there was a report of alleged attack that led to the killing of one herdsman while one was still missing as at the time of writing this report and more than 300 cows killed while others rustled. This was said to be carried out by a group allegedly known as ‘Irigwe terrorist’, according to the chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
Report has it that similar killing and rustling of more than 113 cows had occurred in a nearby locality around the School of Accountancy Kwal, sometimes in February 2019. Although it was gathered that the timely intervention of the state government halted any perceived reprisal attack even though the promised compensation by the government over the killed cows is yet to be fulfilled.
Security confirmation
Confirming the recent incident, the commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPHS), Major General Augustine Agundu, confirmed that it was true some cows were killed and others rustled along Jos South and Bassa LGA.
General Agundu stressed that it was unfortunate that whenever security agencies make effort towards restoring peace, criminal elements would always bring about obstacles to undermine that effort. He disclosed further that there were militia groups in all the warring groups whose leaders, he said, do not want to come out and disclose the truth. Nevertheless, he promised to call a security meeting to ensure that peace returns to the area.
“We have eliminated issues of farmer-herder crisis in Plateau state because they are more cautious about grazing in farmlands now but whereby cattle graze in a green area and out of animosity, you engaged the cows and kill them, that is barbarism and it will not be tolerated,” he frowned.
The herders narrate their account.
Although General Agundu did not give exact figures of the number of herdsmen and cows killed, however, while corroborating Agundu’s confirmation, the state MACBAN chairman, Malam Nura Abdullahi, added that two herders and more than 314 cows were killed at Kwal in Bassa local government area while in Kuru and Rekwechungu of Jos South local government area, dozens others were killed with many rustled.
According to Malam Abdullahi, “Two boys herding the cows were killed. The cloth of one Shehu Saeedu was seen with stains of blood while Mubarak Ahmad was not seen but we assume that he was also killed.
“A report just reached us that on Monday, April 29 2019, Irigwe terrorist holding sophisticated fire arms shooting sporadically attacked Fulani cattle rearers around the School of Accountancy Kwal general area. They chased away the rearers, killed over 300 cows and robbed many others,” he alleged.
Malam Abdullahi, narrated that the carcass of 29 cows were, on Tuesday, morning discovered at Kuru village whereas at Maiyanga village, near the School of Accountancy in Kwal district of Bassa local government area, 314 herds were counted in the presence of security agencies.
He said the cows belonged to Dauda Jalo, Inusa Jalo, Muhammad Adam, Sani Alhassan, Abdulkadir Saeed, Kabiru Muhammad, Yakubu Mahmud and Auwal Abubakar, respectively.
Abdullahi said they have reported the incident to the police. “The Police divisional officer (DPO) of Bassa and Kuru are all aware of it.”
The police public relations officer, Plateau state command, DSP Tyopev Terna, couldn’t comment on the matter. In a response for his confirmation of the incidents, he simply said, “Okay I will get back to you which he never did.”
Irigwe’s position.
But the chairman of Irigwe community, David Chinge, refuted the allegation, saying it couldn’t be true that more than 300 cows were killed.
“I am not aware about the 300 cattle killed. All I know is that we were invited by the commander, Sector 6, Col. Hassan that 11 cattle were killed on Monday.”
Speaking further, he said, “Apart from that one, I am not aware of the 300 killed. We as a people condemn the act and we are calling on both Fulani and Irigwe to live in peace.”
Mr Chinge, said the herders should steer clear of Irigwe restricted areas while grazing their cattle. According to him, “I also call on Fulani to keep off from the restricted areas where grazing is banned.”
Blueprint observed that similar occurrences have led to chains of reprisal and counter reprisal attacks that also led to killings of hundreds of human lives. He noted that although efforts of security agencies, community leaders from both the Irigwe and Fulani have been aiding in curtailing the situation from escalating but said much still needs to be done.
It was gathered that the apprehension that thrilled the killing and rustling of more than 113 cows in February was put to rest by the timely intervention of Governor Simon Lalong, with a promised to compensate the herders, which has greatly nipped any planned reprisal, but up till now, the herders are not yet compensated.
A security expert, Col. Tunji Johnson, said it will only be wise if the state government fulfils its promise so that such aggrieved herders wouldn’t lose tempers and resort to taking laws into their hands; more so that another ugly incident just happened.
According to him, “It is important for the warring forces to resort to dialogue on peaceful resolution of the issue, than towing the path of violence.”
The government’s stand.
But the government through its commissioner for information and communications, Yakubu Dati, was silent on the issue of not fulfilling the promise of compensation, rather, Dati was quick to condemn the act of criminality.
He said, “The state government has directed the security agencies to fish out perpetrators of all criminal activities to face the full wrath of the law.”
Dati further said there are enabling laws to address those infractions saying, “We also wish to draw the attention of mischief makers who will want to escalate the situation to consider innocent lives who are always victims of such breakdown of law and order.”
