World News

Saturday, July 08, 2017

Families Of Victims Killed By Herdsmen Get N2m From Gov Obaseki


Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has donated N2million to the families of four victims killed by suspected Fulani Herdsmen in the state.

This was made known on Friday by Anthony Eboigbodin, the Head of Uhunmwode Local Government Council.

He spoke at the end of a Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting presided over by the governor at Edo State Government House in Benin.

Two of the victims were killed at Ewu community in Esan Central, one in Ekpoma area of Esan West and the last in Elele Community, near Auchi in Etsako West LGA.

Eboigbodin disclosed that the families of the four victims would get N500, 000 each.
Meanwhile, the bill ​before the Edo House of Assembly to establish the Edo State Control of Nomadic Cattle Rearing/Grazing Law ​has been rejected by the state government​.

The bill​, ​which has scaled through second reading​, ​was also rejected by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)​, among others.
T​he​ stakeholders declared their opposition on Thursday at the public hearing organised by the House of Assembly.

Governor Godwin Obaseki said he was not aware of the bill​ he stated did not emanate from him​.​

By Wale Odunsi

Thursday, July 06, 2017

Fulani Herdsmen Have Killed 1,878 People In Benue - Ortom

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has stated that no fewer than 1,878 people were killed by Fulani herdsmen within three years.


The governor also said that 750 persons were critically injured, 200 persons still missing, ‎with over 99,427 households affected in the various attacks carried out by the Fulani herdsmen in the sate.

Ortom stated this when he received in his office the Country Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees, Edward Kallon, and his team.

He stated that the assault and battery on the agrarian communities of the Benue valley posed great threat to food security of the nation.

Ortom said, “For over a decade, the people of Benue State have noticed the influx of armed herdsmen who have violently attacked many communities in the state.

“Between 2013/2016 alone, Fulani herdsmen killed more than 1,878 men, women and children in cold blood from 12 local government areas of Benue State. Another 750 were seriously wounded while 200 are missing. Over 99,427 households were affected in Benue State and property worth billions of naira destroyed.

“In 2014 alone, the destruction recorded across 10 local governments in Benue State exceeded N95bn.”

The governor, however, called on the UN to support the state towards the implementation of lasting solutions to insecurity, violence and displacement of people of the state.


By Ameh Comrade Godwin

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Emir Warns Herdsmen Not To Graze On Farmlands


The Emir of Wamba in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Lawal Musa-Nagogo, has cautioned herdsmen against grazing on farmlands to avoid clashes with farmers.

Musa-Nagogo made the call on Tuesday while addressing his subjects that paid him Sallah homage in his palace at Wamba, Wamba Local Government Area of the state.

He said the measure would promote peace and boost food production in the country.
The first class traditional ruler equally called on farmers not to take the law in to their hands no matter the damages done to their crops, but report their grievances to the appropriate authority for necessary action.

“Without peaceful co-existence between the farmers and the herdsmen, agricultural production and the socio-economic development of the country will be affected negatively, hence the need for both of them to embrace one another,’’ he said.

Musa-Nagogo noted that no society can develop in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion, hence the need for herdsmen not to graze on farmlands.

He urged the Muslim faithful to sustain the lessons learned during the Ramadan by preaching and promoting peace, love and unity, and to pray and support leaders at all levels to enable them succeed in the task ahead of them.

Also speaking, Alhaji Musa Shuaibu-Wayo, the Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Wamba Local Government Council, urged Nigerians to continue to be their brothers’ keeper in the interest of national development.

“Eid-el-fitr is not only for merry making, but a time to emulate what Prophet Muhammad (SWA) was sent by Almighty God to come and do.
 
“Prophet Muhammad preaches peace, love and unity and as true followers of Islam we suppose to emulate him so that we can enjoy the blessings of God Almighty here and in the hereafter.

“We must maintain our God-fearing acts which we exhibited during the fasting period by sustaining the lessons and change of attitude learnt during the Ramadan fast,” he said.

Shuaibu-Wayo also urged wealthy individual to assist less privileged individuals in the society in order to give them a sense of belonging and improve on their standard of living.

The chairman also appealed to Nigerians to continue to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari, Gov. Tanko Al-Makura and other leaders to enable them succeed in providing good governance.

Alhaji Rilyanu Lamus, the Santuraki Wamba, also enjoined Muslims to sustain the lessons of the Ramadan and to live in peace, unity and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation.

Lamus, who is the state Auditor General, assured the Wamba Emirate Council of his loyalty and positive contribution to the development of the area and the state at large.


(NAN)

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Fulani Herdsmen Accuse Mambilla Tribesmen Of Ethnic Cleansing

Fulani community in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State has accused the Mambilla tribe of committing ethnic cleansing against them.


Recall that Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria ​(MACBAN) had also expressed shock ​and sadness over the alleged “wanton destruction of lives and cattle going on in Taraba State.​”​

In their reaction, the community in a press statement issued in Jalingo, said more than 20 families were wiped out in attacks within one week.

They noted that as at Wednesday morning, more than 100 people had been murdered even as killings were still going on

In the press release signed by elders of the community, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu , Malam Suleiman Musa, Alhaji Hassan Ardo and Alhaji Dauda Jae, the elders lamented that over 180 Fulani villages in the Mambilla Plateau were attacked.

They lamented the alleged lukewarm position of the Taraba State Government to the incidents.

“More than 130 persons, including children and women are missing while over 4,000 cows were either killed or taken away”.

“We are calling on relevant authorities to urgently intervene”, the elders said‎.

The Fulani community further appealed to Acting President Yemi Osibanjo to take all necessary measures to stop “the ethnic cleansing” being committed against them.


By Wale Odunsi