By Abel Daniel

The killings and destruction of property by suspected Fulani herdsmen which have  continued to ravage some communities in Nasarawa and Benue states since Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura assumed office  in Nasarawa have created suspicion in the minds of people who allege that criminals are being harbored in the state.

The administration, no doubt, has left indelible marks on the state in the area of infrastructure which has been transformed and put  in a good position to grow economically given its proximity to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

However, the activities of the suspected herdsmen continue to agitate  the minds of the people of Nasarawa and Benue who have lived together for years without any cause to fight.

Several peace meetings have been held between Almakura and his Benue counterpart to ensure peace all to no avail. In one of those meetings, Governor Gabriel Suswan of Benue State pointed accusing finger at  Almakura that Fulani herdsmen  are being harbored in Nasarawa to which they withdraw  after each  attack on the Tiv people in Benue.

“We know that these Fulani fighters did not enter Benue through flight. They came on land and must have passed through some communities in Nasarawa before invading some communities in Benue. Given the large number of the herdsmen, the governor of Nasarawa, traditional rulers, security operatives and people whose communities they hide  in, in Nasarawa,  cannot deny that they don’t know anything about them”.

The Nasarawa governor denied the allegation, saying the suspected Fulani herdsmen  could enter Benue through any neighboring state and not necessarily  through Nasarawa.  He, however, did not say there were no suspected Fulani fighters in his state.

Also in an address on the occasion of the killing of some suspected Fulani fighters in his state, Almakura denied the victims were insurgents,  stating that  insurgents were in the forest along the Benue/Taraba trough from where they  come to operate in Benue and Nasarawa states.

Meanwhile, the military has been deployed in Nasarawa and Benue states to curtail the killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The troops deployed were blamed for the killing of some Fulani herdsmen in Keana LGA, Nasarawa State.

The Fulani herdsmen/natives crisis  in the state started with the Eggon. However, the Eggon, predominantly farmers, resorted to the use of  black power which they claim give them the ability to defeat their foes. The fight reached a point when the Eggon and the Fulani decided to lay down their arms.

The next tribe to face the fire of suspected Fulani herdsmen in the state after the Eggons was the Agatus who reside in Loco, Agbashi and Agwatashi.  According to the member of  Nasarawa State House of Assembly representing the area, Hon. Anthony Obande, the suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded Agbashi as early as 5am on the day of attack.

Obande said the attackers went from house to house using dynamite to burn and blow up houses. It was an experience that community will live to tell the story as all the houses with the exception of  a primary school and the police station in Agbashi were  razed.  Almakura, during a visit to the area, condemned the attack. Agbashi has since turned to a ghost town.

Nasarawa communities deserted in the wake of recent  attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen  include Gidan Ngur, Kadarko, Azer, Kadarko Rail, Agwan Kuje, Gidan Kwarra and Gidan Kparev as the locals are   reported to be taking refuge in Benue, the FCT and Niger State.

In the meantime, the Keana LGA alleged killing of some Fulani herdsmen has continued to generate controversy.

“What could have led to the killing of innocent Fulani resident in Keana who, on record, have lived, dined and wined with the Tiv in the area and have gone about their normal business of cattle rearing and marketing of fura da nonu?”, Almakura said.

Describing the incident  as an assault on the Fulani , the governor, who was at the palace of Osana of Keana, Emmanuel Elayo, said he visited to  condole the people of Keana over what had be fallen them.

Elayo commended his guest over his efforts at making peace in the state and called on him to bring the Tiv people back to begin their farming occupation as the planting season is approaching.

“The Tiv people in Keana must be brought back to their homes because already food scarcity is sharply affecting our communities already because their farm produce were destroyed by the insurgents”, the monarch said.

Meanwhile, the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Nasarawa State branch, speaking through its Secretary, Mohammed Hussein, described the Keana incident as a calculated attempt aimed at  cleansing of the Fulani in the area.