Rabiu Omaku
For over three weeks now, communities in Nasarawa State are under siege by Fulani pastoralists, Universal Reporters can authoritatively report that on Friday ) ,It was reported that herders àttacked Takalafya village, a Mada settlement under Gitata District of Pàñda Development Area of Karu Local Government Council killing over 32 people with over 50 Houses Burnt
Three weeks after, scores were killed in Tatara Mada, leading to a mass exodus of people to a safer place,
It could be recalled that Fulani herders butchered one Army, while one was declared missing, though there is no official statement from Army authority from the 123 Special Forces Battalion.
The Nasarawa State Deputy Governor recently paid condoles to the commander of special forces last two weeks over the callous killing.
The sky was let loose as men of the Special Forces Command Doma, Nasarawa State retaliated over the killings of one of its officers attached to Idadu camp, who was butchered while one of the officers whose identity was not known was missing for the past three weeks. while their firearms are also missing.
The nefarious act of Fulani herders in Doma South was resisted by men of the SFC leading to the clearing of debris standing their way, The officer, according to an insider who pleaded anonymity said they carry along his mobile phone after he was axed to death as deep the motorcycle of Nigeria Army into a stream along Idadu-Igbabo road.
The Public Relations Officer of the command could not be reached for comment, unconfirmed sources (an army) described the death of Officer Ibrahim as one death too many, saying the offensive will continue until those militias are brought to book.
The unfolding in the bush led to a mass exodus of farmers, which may lead to hunger and famine in the crisis-prone communities.
Doma-Idadu-Rukubi road has been a death trap for road users over the years following the daily attacks meted on traders, politicians, and staff of Olam rice farm, The largest rice farm in Africa.
It would be recalled that an expatriate and top echelon of Olam was attacked some months ago, also a present member elect representing Doma South, Hon Musa Ibrahim escapade by the whisker recently.
Another personality that escaped narrowly along the deadly route was the paramount ruler of Idadu, Engineer Mohammed Addra, who is the current Managing Director of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority (LBRBDA).
It was gathered that he escapade narrowly from the hands of the bandits after holding a meeting with Fulani herders where he issued a stiff warning to tormentors of crisis to have a rethink, few minutes after he left the community to return back to Doma, he was attacked by people identified to be Fulani herders.
Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe had condoled the commander of Special Force Doma, Major General. O.O. Soyele over the killing of one of his gallant officers by Fulani herders along Idadu road while one of the officers was still missing for three weeks.
The State Deputy Governor who was at the SFB Doma described the death as unfortunate and pray for the reposed of the officer, describing the killings as a colossal lost to the nation at large.
Major. General Soyele in his response, thanked the State Government for the condolence visit, saying army authority are on top of the situation.
He described the death of one of the officers as unfortunate to army authority, he however said the army would never take it lightly with anybody or a group of people attacking soldiers.
Ibrahim , an indigene of Gombe State who was at Idadu Army camp was in Doma on that fateful day and was later that day attacked and axed by gunmen identified to be Fulani militia.
The gallant officer, it was gathered was in army uniform and on army customized motorcycle by the time he was attacked, It was also reported that the Fulani gunmen attacked two of them at the same time.
The late army officer was macheted, axed and his motorcycle thrown into a river along the road, The ugly death of the army officer has ignited a fire in Doma and its environs including Yelwa Ediys Igbabo Idadu Opkatta Rukubu Akpanaja, Doka, Ajimaka, Okpanya as farmers no longer go to the farm.
The Deputy Governor Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, also paid a condolence visit to the Fulani Community in Doma with a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness the Andoma of Doma in his Palace.
In a related development, the paramount ruler of Doma Local Government of Nasarawa State His Royal Highness, The Andoma of Doma Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Ogah has emphasized on the need for peaceful co-existence amongst farmers and herders in his domain.
The first-class traditional ruler gave the hint when stakeholders of Doma paid him a Sallah homage at his palace.
The monarch says farmers and herders are all looking up to green grass, and for that reason, they must leave as partners in progress but not as foes.
Saying, there is no need for any rift between farmers and herders in any part of the domain whatsoever.
“There must be tolerance amongst farmers and herders meaning the two should not abuse each other”.
He further sues farmers and herders to see themselves as partners in progress but not as life enemies.
The Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer DSP. Ramhan Nansel did not respond to text and call at press time.
