Herdsman With Bullet Proof Vest And A Cutlass Arrested In Benue

Herdsman With Bullet Proof Vest And A Cutlass Arrested In Benue

Following the launch of operation “Ayem-A- Kpatuma, a Tiv word meaning “Cat race”, which is currently carried out in Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger states, the Nigerian army has reportedly arrested a herdsman with a locally made bullet proof vest and a cutlass at Chegba village, Benue State.

It was also gathered that the troops also seized a locally made pistol, with one live cartridge from  a herdsman at Gidan Kiya village, Taraba State. The arrested herdsmen have long been handed over to the police.

The operation was launched following attacks by herdsmen, armed militias, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other forms of armed banditry in the above states, and will serve as a training avenue for troops and dovetail into an operation to combat the armed attacks.

Few days ago, we reported that Governor Samuel Ortom who sat for an interview with Osasu Igbinedion on her ‘Osasu show’, talked about the herdsmen attack witnessed in various parts of the country, including his own state.

Governor Samuel Ortom said the incessant herdsmen attacks, is an act of vengeance by herders for losing the 1804 Jihad. According to him, the people of Benue stopped the Fulanis from penetrating the state through Sokoto.

The Governor who further disclosed that he invited President Buhari to come around to console the people of the state following the herdsmen attack, said he ignored the invitation. Governor Ortom who was visibly angry in the interview, said there won’t be any campaign in the state if the clash between herdsmen and farmers in the state is not addressed.

The interview came after the Former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University and the spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Professor Ango Abdullahi, in a chat with Vanguardngr, justified the attacks and killings carried out by suspected Fulani herdsmen.