An identity card belonging to the Deputy Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Zakariya Ya’u Idris, is now a subject of controversy.
The police authorities said they had commenced investigation into the matter.
While the Irigwe Development Association alleged that the document was recovered at a scene where some persons were recently killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen, MACBAN said the ID card was stolen by Irigwe youth who attacked the house of Idris while he was worshiping in the mosque.
The President of IDA and former member, Plateau State House of Assembly, Sunday Abdu, said, “The identity card was seen at the scene of an attack where people were killed.
“The issue of identity cards is a small matter. We also recovered telephone handsets.
“We have reported the matter to the Police and the items have been taken for investigation.
But when contacted, the Chairman of MACBAN in Plateau State, Muhammad Nuru Abdullahi, insisted that the ID was stolen along with other personal documents.
He said, “The owner of the ID card is the deputy chairman of MACBAN in Bassa LGA. He was chased out of his own house.
“He left this document inside his own house, and they entered and picked it and then went away with it. The man was running for his life.
“The incident happened on Wednesday morning. You know they were attacked very early in the morning before 6:00am. He was in the mosque when they were attacked and he was unable to come back to his house.
“That was how they picked the documents, including the school certificates of his children, indigene’s certificates of his wife and children, his (MACBAN) identity card, vehicle documents and other personal items.
“He has reported to the Police and the report has been documented.”
When contacted to find out whether any report was lodged by either parties, the spokesperson of Plateau State Police Command, ASP Matthias Tyopev said, “It is a sensitive matter; no comment for now, until after diligent investigation.”
However, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, yesterday, said the arbitrary arrest and persecution of its members by the police and the Takum Council Chairman, Hon. Shiban Tikari, was inimical to peace.
The Northeast Zonal Chairman of the Association, Alhaji Mafindi Danburam, stated this at a press conference in Jalingo.
According to him, some Miyetti Allah members had on Wednesday, March 14, went to Bantaje Cattle Market to sell their cows and while on their way back, 52 of them were arbitrarily arrested by the police under the instruction of Takum Council Chairman, Hon. Shiban Tikari, and were later transferred to the state police command in Jalingo.
“We have visited the command and demanded for reasons for their arrest, charges against them and the complainant statement which have not being made available to us,” he said.
The zonal chairman called on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to intervene in the matter.
“We are really in the hands of elements of destruction who believe that a Fulani man has no right to live and enjoy his right as a citizen in Taraba State.
“Takum is now a no-go area for us. Our people are being killed, their animals maimed but nobody has been arrested for these crimes”, he said.
But when contacted, Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Akinremi said 54 persons were arrested following information the police received that there was a mass movement of people suspected to be the perpetrators of some violent attacks at Bawe, Panshen, Muji 1 and Muji 2 villages in Takum.
He explained that his men acting on intelligence intercepted four vehicles loaded with herdsmen, adding that some natives alleged that the suspects had positioned themselves to launch an attack in the area.
Akinremi said he ordered his men to bring the suspects to the state command in Jalingo for interrogation to determine their innocence on the allegation.
The commissioner said even though nothing incriminating was found on the suspects, the police had already conveyed 41 of them to Kashimbilla who claimed to have cows domiciled in the area for further investigation.
“About 41 of the suspects claimed they have cows at Kashimbilla. So, we need to verify if there is any evidence that they took cows to Bantaje for sale. We may probably find out from the native and middlemen if they had performed any transaction with them.
“Five of the suspects confessed to be cattle rustlers, while six were believed to be among the perpetrators of the violent attacks in Takum and its environs in recent times,” he said.
On his part, the Chairman Takum, Hon. Shiban Tikari told journalists that as a council chairman, he was duty bound to report suspected criminals to the security operatives for necessary action.
Takari said the number of herdsmen spotted, coupled with the fact that they were not grazing cows, raised suspicion because herdsmen normally troop into the area with their cattle on their way to Kashimbilla around November and December not in March, more so that we are currently being attacked by herdsmen.
“The recent attacks on Panshen, Bawe, Muji 1 and 2 villages, and the information at our disposal that marauders were planning more attacks in Mudi, Tati and Manya made us to be security conscious. So, there my alarm was in order. We must as leaders make efforts to promote peace and not give criminals room to operate,” he said.
It could be recalled that the recent crisis between Fulani and natives in Takum and Ussa LGAs as well as Yanghtu Special Development area killed seven people while property worth millions of naira were destroyed.
Meanwhile, troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade have arrested 6 herdsmen, caught in the act of farmland destruction in Kwata, Benue State.
This is contained in a statement, yesterday, by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu.
It explained that troops on patrol in the general area of Kwata Sule on Saturday, March 17, encountered the herdsmen.
After initial interrogation, the suspects were handed over to the police for further action.
Also, troops on patrol in the general area of Chembe, Tse-Gundu, Tse-Iordye and Shaor settlements sighted two herdsmen on a motorcycle along Kwata Shaor river bank.
“Herdsmen abandoned their motorcycle and fled. In search of the general area, one round of 7.62mm special was discovered.
“Troops continue to dominate the general area with patrols,” the statement concluded.
Similarly, the Nigerian Army said its troops have killed four armed militiamen in Ningi Local Government Council of Bauchi State.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, in a statement issued, yesterday, said that nine militiamen were also arrested.
Chukwu said that troops of 33 Artillery Brigade of Operation “Lafiya Dole”, on patrol on March 17, were attacked by the militia group at Burra Junction in Ningi.
He stated that the militiamen fired at the troops on patrol.
Ckukwu added that the troops, thereafter, engaged the militias, killing four of them.
He explained that the troops also recovered five Dane guns, 38 motorcycles, and nine bicycles.
The army spokesman said that one soldier was wounded in the attack and referred to a medical facility for treatment.
“Troops of 33 Artillery Brigade, in the ongoing operation Lafia Dole, on March 17 at about 12:30 p.m. encountered members of a militia group, massing up at Burra Junction in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
“The militiamen on sighting the troops, opened fire on them while the troops reacted immediately by engaging them.
“At the end of the encounter, four militias were killed, troops recovered five Dane guns; 38 motorcycles, nine bicycles, and nine militiamen arrested.
“One soldier, who sustained gunshot wounds is stable, having been evacuated to the hospital and receiving treatment,’’ Chukwu said.
In the same vein, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has ordered the arrest of the suspected herdsmen responsible for the death of two adults and a minor in Ugboha, Esan South East Local Local Government Council of Edo State, at the weekend.
Recall that at least five persons, including a first year student of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo S tate, Collins Ojierakhi, were reportedly killed by herdsmen in Ugboha, Esan South-East Local and Odiguete Ovia North-East Local Government Areas of Edo State.
He condemned the unwarranted killings by the bandits under the guise of herdsmen, in contravention of government’s directive that cattle should not move in Edo State at night.
Speaking, yesterday, the governor ordered that the culprits must be apprehended within seven days.
He directed the committee made up of the police, officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to work with members of all associations of cattle dealers and people who have information regarding the activities of the bandits to fish them out within the stipulated period.
Obaseki condoled with families of the victims and pledged his administration’s commitment to the safety and security of all Edo people and residents in the state as well as their property.
He enjoined members of the affected communities to keep the peace, assuring them that the culprits will be apprehended and that justice will be served.