In Plateau State, the Coalition of Indigenous Fulani Registered Organizations is fervently advocating for a thorough investigation into the tragic killing of a 17-year-old Fulani herder and the subsequent theft of over 170 cattle in the Barkin-Ladi local government area.
Addressing the press in Jos, the chairman of the coalition, Garba Abdulahi Mohammed, highlighted a disturbing trend of attacks targeting Fulani herders across Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos council areas. He recounted the harrowing events of this week’s incident, where Abubakar Abudulmumin lost his life, and Abdulsalam Ibrahim sustained critical injuries, currently undergoing treatment at the Mainasara Hospital in Barkin Ladi.
Mohammed detailed the assault, revealing that armed militia from Nafan and Nyerwei villages in the Fan district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area ambushed the herders while they grazed their livestock. The attackers, arriving on motorcycles and wielding firearms, unleashed a barrage of gunfire, resulting in the deaths of 104 cows and 30 sheep. The stolen livestock were then brazenly transported through the same villages from which the assailants originated.
Furthermore, Mohammed lamented a separate incident in Bot village, Bokkos local government, where a group of cattle thieves pilfered 71 cows owned by Alhaji Sani Hurti. These thieves, identified as part of a larger rustling syndicate spanning Mangu and Bokkos Local Governments, continue to pose a significant threat to the livelihoods of Fulani herders in the region.
Despite these relentless attacks, Mohammed underscored the Fulani community’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and lawful activities. He decried the assaults as deliberate attempts to provoke and intimidate the Fulani populace, reiterating their resolve to remain law-abiding and contribute positively to economic growth.
Calling upon security agencies to swiftly apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators, Mohammed urged governmental bodies at all levels to provide compensation for the victims and implement measures to safeguard herders and their livelihoods. The coalition’s plea for justice and protection resonates as they strive to restore peace and security for all members of the community.
