No End In Sight As Killings, Maiming, Raping, And Humiliation by Fulani Herders Remain Unabated In Nasarawa State
Our Nasarawa State correspondent writes on the untold story of unabated killings, maiming, raping and humiliation meted on farmers in Doma local government, the “food basket of Nasarawa state” while the perpetrators are left unpunished by the security operatives over the years.
CA conglomeration of farmers in Doma local government, the “food basket of Nasarawa state “has sent a “Save Our Soul” message to the state governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule to as a matter of urgency to bring succor to farmers who are victims of circumstance while trying to protect their farms from destruction by herders.
In an exclusive interview with selected victims of Fulani herders’ attack on their farms shared their bad experiences with pastoral nomads who are using all avenues to trespass into their farmland, the Chairman of the Association of farmers gruesomely manhandled by Fulani herders, Ibrahim Ashikeni expressed concerned on why over the years farmers are killed on daily basis and no stringent measures were taken to effect the rest of the perpetrators.
The chairman attributed the daily attack meted on peaceful farmers in the bush as the core reason why there is a mass exodus of farmers to Taraba and Ofere in search of greener pastures.
The chairman of victims of herders attack in Doma, Ashikeni Ibrahim Arago who gave the hint in an interview with Universal Reporters at the weekend at the Local Government secretariat however, appealed to the State House of Assembly (NSHA) to come up with legislation that will stipulate stiffer penalties for Fulani herders with such questionable characters, saying the security agencies must wake from their slumber so as to rescue those humiliated.
Recalling the episode that nearly cost his life on his farm while protesting and protecting herders from invading his cassava farm, he added that his predicament started in January 2014, which he opined that the time of the incident coincided with the time he bought the admission form for Certificate of Education (NCE) at the College of Education, Akwanga.
“When we were removing cassava at the farm, on citing heads of cattle at the edge of our farm, I told my mom lets go and see the size of the farm so that we can hire people to assist us so as to meet up to the time of admission, at the extreme, I saw Fulani pastoralist grazing in the middle of our farm and as I advanced I saw the level of destruction they did, the Fulani herder was busy removing fresh cassava which he gathered the heaps in separate locations for them to feed on, while I engaged him in a quarrel, I collected his machete and his bag which contains two daggers and I climbed a tree and tied it up, and I asked my mother to be vigilant on him.
I immediately rushed to Alagye community to report him to Fulani leaders with good intentions to settle the issues amicably, when I informed Madakin Fulani about the ongoing, Madaki whom I relied on asked me who gave me the power to arrest a Fulani herder in my farm though with the intervention of some of their leaders I was told that the boy is from Rugan Ardo, and I was given the assurance that he will get him.
On the fourth day, as I entered the farm, four of them laid siege on me, with matchets, one of them chopped off my hands, he again raised his matchets for the second time and I blocked the matchet with my second hand which he cut it off and subsequently my head, I only realized what happened to me on a hospital bed.
I Was A Victim of Circumstances -Joshua Agabi
I was in my Farm and I heard people shouting for help as I went there to separate them my hand was chopped off by a Fulani herder.
In an interview he explained that he has lost confidence in the Nigeria police when it comes to issues like this, Joshua added that the police are using our case as a cash cow, Joshua, however, said he brought the person that injured him to the palace which was almost 2km from the town.
“When I took him to the palace to face punishment, the chamberlain’s told me that Andoma is about to travel to Katsina for the late president. Musa Yar’adua three days prayers, this happened in 2010, as I insisted on seeing the paramount ruler, though shouting at the top of my voice, I had one of them saying is the effect of the matchet cut
During one of our discussions on the telephone with one of the militias of Miyyeti Allah, he confided to me that Alago farmers are afraid of them.
One of the victims from Kututure, Christian Ibrahim told this medium that he was passing by when he saw a young Fulani grazing and destroying millet and guinea corn farm and he pleaded with them to stop the destruction of crops.
According to him, “when the Fulani boys strike with a machete, they broke all the plastic buckets, I carried”, when asked what really did, he wants the government to do for him, Ibrahim called on the government at all levels to set up the machinery to safeguard the lives and properties of the people.
Akwe, one of the victims narrated how he was butchered by Fulani herders in his farmstead, he was attacked and beaten to stupor by Fulani criminals when he resisted the attack on his crops.
A health practitioner in Doma local government operating a private clinic expressed discontentment over the rising waves of killings and systematic attacks by Fulani herders as quite shocking, saying the situation is quite better than last three years when on daily bases patients with machete cuts are brought to his facility.
The state chairman of the association of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) ,Bala Mohammed Dabo, debunked the revelations by scores of farmers that herders killed, maimed and raped their wives even in a broad daylight.
The Executive Chairman of Doma local government Arc. Ahmed Sarki Usman sent a passionate appeal to farmers/herders to shed their swords by embracing peace, adding that can be described as a catalyst for rapid development.
“We must remain united and farmers in Doma local government must go to farm , farming is the predominant occupation of our people”.
The Chairman also warned farmers to ensure that they left a few meters that would serve as a route for cattle. Sarki warned farmers not to block grazing routes belonging to herders.
The paramount ruler of Doma local government, His royal Highness, the Andoma of Doma,Alhaji Ahmadu Ogah could not react to the matter despite the frantic effort to speak to him over the rising spate of killings and amputation of farmers in Doma community.
The police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP, Ramhan Nansel denied the allegation that police are been bribed on daily basis.
The state commissioner of Justice and attorney general , associate professor Abdulkarim Kana when contacted on the matter, said he is not aware of such cases before a competent court of competent jurisdiction to handle such acts capable of reducing skirmishes between farmers/herders clashes that is yet to settle.
