2 killed, 3 others injured as Fulani/Hausa boys, Guards Clash over alleged Cattle Rustling in Benue

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Two people were on Saturday, reportedly killed, while three personnel of the Benue State Livestock Guards badly injured, following a bloody clash between officers of the Livestock Guards and Fulani herders aided by Hausa boys in the Kwua community located close to Modern Market Makurdi, Benue State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Friday 13th June 2024 about 4 pm to 6:30 pm.

A local and eye witness who identified himself as Moses Aondover, told newsmen on Saturday that, no fewer than two persons lost their lives, while three personnel of the livestock guards were seriously wounded during the clash.

He narrated that, on Friday 13th June, at about 2-4 pm, some members of the Kwua community sighted Fulani herders grazing their cattle openly, destroying farm crops in the area and quickly drawn the attention of Livestock guards who swiftly responded.

Aondover explained the Guards came to the area and on seeing them, the herders took to their heels leaving their cows behind.

He said the officers immediately impounded the cows and were taken them to their office for violating the anti open grazing law in the State.

“The Fulani herders ran to Wadata area of the town and informed their Hausa boys that some Tiv boys came to rustled their cows. Then, the Hausa boys mobilised themselves to the area and on reaching the community, they discovered that the cows have been moved from the area.

“So, the herders in collaboration with the Hausa boys who were heavily armed, went after the officers of the guards, intercepted the cows close to gate of Modern Market Makurdi and started shooting sporadically in order to rescue the cows.

“It was at that point that two persons were gunned down and three others macheted so badly. We could not certain whether those killed were the Fulani herders or the Hausa boys from Wadata who came to assist the herders for recovery of the cows.

“However, about fews minutes later, we saw police patrol team drove to the scene and evacuated the injured persons, Aondover explained.

According to him, the situation caused a very serious commotion and pandemonium in and around Kwua community and the entire modern market areas.

The special adviser to the Benue State Governor on Internal Security, Joseph Har confirmed the incident to newsmen on Saturday, saying the livestock guards were attacked by fulani herdsmen and Hausa gang.

Har could not disclose the number of people killed during the clash but admitted that officers of Livestock Guards were machet by Fulani herdsmen and Hausa gang.

According to him, the guards went and apprehended cows that were grazing openly, but that the Fulani and Hausa gang came with guns and matchets and recovered the cattle.

Har disclosed that the Fulani and Hausa gang cut the officers of livestock guards the same way they cut the farmers and even shot but unfortunately got their person.

“Yesterday, cattle were astray and was grazing on farms in the river bank without shepherds. Livestock Guards went and apprehended it but the Fulani and Hausa gang came with guns and matchets and recovered the cattle.

They cut the officers the same way they cut our farmers and even shot but unfortunately got their person. The officers are receiving treatment in a private hospital”, Chief Har stated.

He said men of the Nigerian Police operations Zenda were drafted to the place but the boys resisted and they couldn’t penetrate the area.

The adviser warned that the Anti Open Grazing Law is meant for anyone that want to rear cattle which must be obeyed.

Efforts to get police confirmation proved abortive as the Benue State command police public relations officer SP Catherine Anene could not pick calls and respond to texts sent to her cellphone.