Three feared killed, six injured as suspected herdsmen attack Delta farmers

Herdsmen

• Fulani seek peace in Southern Kaduna, join Christians to worship
• No peace yet in Buruku, says Benue lawmaker

Three persons were feared killed while six others sustained injuries as a group suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked Emuhu community in Ika South local council of Delta State at the weekend .


The herdsmen were also reported to have taken over farmlands at Abavo community and clashed with farmers whenever they are challenged.Residents of Emuhu community yesterday protested against the incident, demanding state government’s urgent intervention to save them from frequent attacks by herdsmen.


A witness said the victims were attacked when they encountered the herdsmen on Sunday night.One of the victims, Chuks Okoyen said: “The herdsmen attacked us with daggers as we tried to defend ourselves. But when we saw guns with them we ran away, but three of us were injured and are at the point of death.”


The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim said six herdsmen have been arrested over the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.Meanwhile, in what appears to be first of its kind in history, people of Fulani origin joined Christians in Southern Kaduna to worship on Sunday.


Christian faithful at Christ Evangelical Intercessory Fellowship Ministry at Sabon Tasha were afraid when they saw some Fulani among them. But the Assistant National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Mallam Ibrahim Abdulahi doused the tension when he said the aim of their visit was to promote peace and unity among different religions.


According to him: “We visited the church today to interact with our brothers and sisters in Southern Kaduna. To let them know that the problem of insecurity in the region is also affecting the children of Nomads and their future. Therefore everyone must contribute to overcoming this challenge.”


Responding on behalf of the church, Pastor Yohanna Buru thanked the Fulani for promoting peace.“Your coming to our church today to worship with us does not make you a Christian, because I have been invited to many mosques to dialogue on peace and this is part of the peace mission in inter-faith activities,” he said.


And contrary to reports that armed herdsmen have been evacuated from Buruku, the legislator representing Buruku Federal Constituency in Benue State, Emmanuel Orker Jev said there is still tension in the area as many of the herders have moved to Mbayase, his village to graze their animals.
Jev, while speaking with journalists in Makurdi disclosed that 15 bodies of those killed and buried by herdsmen who attacked Buruku early this month, were discovered recently.


In another development, some people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen killed a young man at the mini prison at Jato Aka – Kashimbila road in Benue at the weekend.It was learnt that the victim and his mates went to take a bath at Mkomon, River Katsina Ala when he was shot in the head.