- Police charge 124 suspects to court in connection with herdsmen, farmers clashes
- President Muhammadu Buhari said those guilty of killings will be punished
The Nigerian police has arrested about 145 suspects over herdsmen, farmers clashes in some parts of the country, including Benue, Kaduna and Nasarawa states.
A presidency source disclosed to the Nation newspaper on Monday, March 12 that the arrests occurred between January 2016 and January 2018.
The source, who does not want his identity revealed, said 124 had been charged to court, while 21 suspects are under investigation and waiting to be charged to court.
He said bandits and militias have killed about 30 policemen mobilised by the government to quell the killings in parts of the country.
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“So far, 106 suspects have been arrested and charged to court for prosecution on the following offences – criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance of public peace, assault and mischief,” the source said.
"On March 5, no fewer than 24 persons were killed; 20 others were feared missing in two communities in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State following fresh attacks by suspected herdsmen.
“Early in the year, three suspects with Ak-47 rifles were apprehended by the Police Intelligence Team in Benue, nine members of untrained Civilian JTF/Livestock guards with prohibited firearms were arrested by the military in Arufa, a boundary town between Benue and Taraba with five AK-47 rifles who confessed that they were employed as Livestock Guards by a state government on a N150,000 monthly salary.
“Similarly, 16 suspects were arrested in Gboko Local Government Area and investigations are ongoing. Several members of armed militia and unknown gunmen were killed or apprehended by the police.
“Other arrests made include that of six suspects on January 1, 2018 following the police response to the killings in Akor Village in Guma Local Government Area on December 31, 2017.
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“Exhibits recovered from the suspect include three cutlasses, charms and other items. All the suspects were charged to court .Concerted efforts are being made by the police to apprehend all culprits in the conflict."
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sympathy with the people of Benue state saying his administration will continue to work towards providing peace to all Nigerians.
The president made this remark during his visit to Benue state on Monday, March 12 to carry out an assessment of the security situation of the state.
In a series of tweets on his official page, President Buhari said all those guilty of perpetuating violence will face the full wrath of the law.
In a related report, the Miyetti Allah which has been accused of being behind the killings in the state has denied involvement in the incessant attacks, while the farmers appealed to the president to take steps to end the killings.
The groups made their position known on Monday, March 12 when President Buhari held a meeting with farmers, the Myetti Allah and other groups in Benue as a means of finding a lasting solution to the incessant attacks and killings in the state.
Nigerian herdsmen vs Nigerian farmers on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng