Nigerian Senate has revealed those behind the brutal killings that ensued in Agatu communities of Benue state. Premium Times reports that the red chamber on March 9, revealed that the crimes of mass murder across Nigerian communities were carried out by “overpowered” Boko Haram terrorists, not Fulani herdsmen as earlier alleged.
This revelation was part of the Senate’s resolutions that accompanied a motion moved by Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP-Taraba State) on “the need to urgently flush out Boko Haram insurgents reassembling in Taraba State.” “The Senate is aware that that Nigerian Army has recorded tremendous success in the war against insurgents in the States of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa.
“There is a change of tactics by insurgents who now parade as herdsmen to make it difficult for the public to identify them,” Bwacha said. The lawmaker asserted that several communities in his Taraba South constituency had fled because of consistent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents “masquerading as Fulani herdsmen.”
Before this motion, Fulani herdsmen have been on the spot light as they are always accused of mass murder as well as destruction of farms in parts of the country. The latest of such accusation was the mindless killings that took place in Agatu communities.
Contributing to the motion, Barnabas Gemade (APC-Benue State) said Boko Haram insurgents were “mixing with herdsmen to cause trouble.” The lawmaker, who had visited other states where such attacks had taken place, lamented the situation in Benue state. Gemade revealed that there was a community in Zamfara state during his visit that had lost over 250 residents to Boko Haram insurgents parading themselves as herdsmen.
The lawmaker who disclosed that Agatu is under siege, asked the government to make sure herdsmen have grazing space for cattle in order to mitigate the hazard of destruction of farms. Abubakar Kyari (APC-Borno State), in his contribution to the debate, posited that Fulani herdsmen should not be described as “unfriendly.” “When Fulani herdsmen or Kanuri are being tagged as unfriendly, it portends danger for the country and freedom to live and work anywhere,” Kyari said.
The red chamber unanimously decided to condemn the killings, kidnappings, destruction of property and farms by “Boko Haram insurgents” in communities across Benue, Taraba, Plateau and other states. The Senate revelation might be coming in as a shock against the backdrop of the earlier disclosure made by Ado Boderi.
The Nation reports that Boderi, who spoke on behalf of the Fulani community on March 3, accused the farmers of killing 10,000 cattle belonging to its members. He made the accusation at a meeting between Agatu community, Fulani community and Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase. Boderi acknowledged that it was criminal minded people from both sides that intensified the crisis despite the swift intervention of the state governor. No fewer than 300 people were killed in Agatu community by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Residents of the community in reaction to the killings on March 2, carried out a peaceful protest to express their displeasure over the incident.
