Suspected Agatu militia killed 85 cows, rostle 100 after peace meeting. Barely a week after the Lafia peace meeting between Nasarawa and Benue state governments and community leaders of other ethnic groups and Fulani people at border settlements, a militia group suspected to be Agatu youths attacked no less than three Fulani camps, killing 85 cows in Agrima, a village in Doma Local Government Area. The militia group which allegedly fired sophisticated guns to scare off the Fulani herdsmen, also rustled not less than 100 cows when they opened fire on the settlement at the weekend, according to Hussain Mohammed, state secretary of Miyetti Allah, a Fulani socio-cultural organization. A joint peace move initiated by Governors Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and Gabriel Suswam of Nasarawa and Benue states, respectively, has seen two joint meetings between leaders of Tiv and other ethnic groups, and the leadership of Fulani people in the two states, in two weeks alone. Resolutions which have received widespread commendations have been taken at the two meetings, to end the bloody hostilities between farmers and herdsmen. While the committees set up between the farmers and herdsmen are still yet to implement the resolutions, Agrima was hit by the weekend attack which the Fulani leadership described as “unprovoked”, explaining that “there was no problem between our people and Agatu people in recent times.” Mohammed said the militia group had first held three Fulani youths, after the others ran for safety, before opening fire to kill the animals. “The militia group came from Agbashi; that is what we learnt from some Agatu people. They entered Agrima at the weekend and killed 85 cows and stole over a hundred others,” Mohammed, who said the Fulani leadership has urged their people not to carry out any reprisal, informed. He called on the state government and the committees set up to protect Fulanis and ensure that herdsmen go about their grazing without fear. Anthony Obande, an Agatu leader and lawmaker representing the area in the state legislature could not be reached for comments because his phone was switched off at the weekend. The state police command acted swiftly and sent a team of armed policemen, led by Area Commander in charge of Lafia, ACP Monday Kuriya Bala. The police visited the now displaced settlement in company of the Miyett Allah secretary, and a Fulani elder, Ardo Lawal Dono. State police spokesman, Conelius Ocholi confirmed the attack, but insisted that “only 18 cows were killed by unknown gunmen.” .......Can anyone confirm the authenticity of this report?
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 12:12:19 +0000
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