Crime
Stop alleged killing of pastoralists in Taraba, Plateau, MACBAN urges security agencies
By Ishaq Dan-Imam
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), a Fulani Socio-cultural Organization has called on the security agencies to put an end to the alleged hunting and killings of pastoralists in Taraba and Plateau states by vigilante groups.
The National Secretary of
MACBAN, Alhaji Bello Aliyu Gotomo, who made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja, emphasized the need for the security agencies to put an end to the activities of vigilante mobs and arrest all those involved.
“The National Headquarters of MACBAN condemns the hunting and killing of innocent pastoralists by members of the local vigilante group in Bali Local Government areas of Taraba and some unknown gunmen in Bokkos and Barikin Ladi in Plateau states.
He said: “Reports reaching MACBAN headquarters indicate that on Nov. 25 2022, 13 innocent pastoralists were allegedly hunted and killed by members of the local vigilante in Jatau and Japan villages in Bali LGA in Taraba state.
“The vigilante group also rustled over 270 cows and took several motorcycles of pastoralists passing through the area.
“This dastardly and heinous crime took place in the full glare of constituted authorities with no arrest made so far.”
Gotomo noted that no one has the right to take life of any citizen unless sanctioned by constituted authorities.
He called on the Federal and State Governments to checkmate the activities of the overzealous members of the vigilante which are partly responsible to the spiralling of insecurity in the Northwest.
He said; “And therefore Taraba ought to learn a lesson. We frown at a situation where the entire security architecture is left in the hands of the local vigilante groups like what’s happening presently in Bali LGA of Taraba State.
“We recall the crisis in Bali started on the Oct. 2022 when members of the vigilante group and their collaborators killed 12 pastoralists in Zude village also in Bali LGA and rustled 704 cattle and took away over 30 motorcycles, to date no one had been arrested for these crimes.
“Allowing impunity is the major reason that insecurity is escalating in the country and it is time to deal decisively with the activities of so-called vigilante to allow Taraba to be plunged into the kind of crisis Zamfara and Katsina states are going through.”
The national secretary also called on the Plateau State Government and the security agencies to fish out those responsible for the killing of innocent herders and farmers in the state.
“As a responsible Association, we are ready to assist all those state Governments and the security agencies in dealing with erring pastoralist.
“We had always partnered Governments and security agencies before and we will continue to work for peace and security for all Nigerians,” he said.
***CP restates commitment to safety of lives, property in Kogi
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
The Nigeria Police, Kogi State Command has confirmed the killing of two suspected kidnappers during a gun duel in Ankumi forest, near Obajana in Lokoja Local Government Area of the state.
A statement from SP William Ovye Aya, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) on Tuesday in Lokoja said that the two suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded in an exchange of fire with the Police and died as they were being taken to the hospital.
Aya said the operation which was in continuation of the ongoing onslaught against banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crime in Kogi State also led to the recovery of one AK 47 Rifle with two magazines and two live Ammunition.
He explained that the operation was consequent upon a tip off received on Monday, May 27 at about 11:30hrs, that some armed hoodlums numbering about three were sighted inside Ankumi forest.
“Immediately the Divisional Police Officer of Obajana Division, CSP Oguche Richard, mobilized his patrol team in collaboration with the Fulani Vigilantes and moved to the area at about 14:30hrs”, he said.
According to the PPRO, on sighting the team, the hoodlums opened fire on them, attracting corresponding response from the team resulting in a gun duel that lasted a while.
Aya said, “Due to the superior firepower of the Police team, two of the hoodlums were fatally wounded while the other escaped with bullet wounds.
“Items recovered from the scene include, one AK 47 rifle with two magazines and two rounds of live Ammunition. Effort is on going to trail and apprehend the fleeing suspect.”
The Command’s Spokesman further told newsmen that the suspects were confirmed dead in a hospital at Obajana and their bodies were brought to the command headquarters in Lokoja.
He said that the bodies were deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital morgue in Lokoja.
Aya further said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Bethrand C. Onuoha, commended the officers for their unwavering commitment and dedication in sustaining the tempo in the ongoing onslaught against crime and criminality.
The Commissioner, he said, also assured Kogi people that the Police “is ever determined to sustain the tempo, in synergy with other Security Agencies, in ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state.” (Ends)
An unspecified number of workers of Dangote Cement Company Plc, Okpella, Etsako West local government of Edo state have been abducted after unknown gunmen Wayland the staff bus
The unfortunate incident was said to have happened on Monday.
The workers were in a staff bus conveying them back to Okpella town after the close of work when they were intercepted and abducted by the gunmen.
An eyewitness confirmed to this online newspaper that the incident happened after the gunmen laid ambush for the workers after emerging from the bush and forcing the bus to a halt at gunpoint before taking their victims into the bush.
“They were in a Coaster bus coming to Okpella after work when they were kidnapped by gunmen. But, we don’t know the numbers of the workers that have been kidnapped,” the source added.
The alleged rape of a female student of the Ajayi Crowther University by two security guards is not being treated with kids gloves as the authorities of the institution have commenced investigations
This was contained in a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Olufemi John Atoyebi.
Atoyebi said, “Management of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo received with shock a report of an alleged rape of one of our female students last night, Thursday May 9, 2024 by two members of our vigilance group.
“The Management promptly handed over to the police, the two people alleged to have committed the crime while the university has set up its own internal panel of inquiry to investigate the allegation.
“The Management wishes to assure all stakeholders that ACU will not tolerate any act of misconduct capable of tarnishing its enviable image.
“Raising Godly intellectuals is our primary goal in ACU and we will not allow any act of misconduct capable of diverting our attention from our goal.
“Heavy penalty awaits anyone who is found culpable after our thorough investigation.
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