Troops of the Nigerian Army have
arrested 18 herdsmen in the Kwata Sule, Mbayer, Yandev and Kaambee areas
of Benue State, who were caught grazing their cows on farmlands, an act
which is against the state’s anti-open grazing law.
It was learnt that the troops
attached to the 707 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, while on patrol on
Saturday in the area, nabbed six herdsmen in Kwata Sule, while 12
others were arrested in Mbayer, Yandev and Kaambee areas for
“destructive activities.”
The herdsmen were reportedly handed over to the police for prosecution.
According to the army, the troops, also
in Chembe, Tse-Gundu, Tse-Iordye and Sbaor areas of the state, recovered
two motorcycles, and 7.62mm special ammunition from two fleeing
herdsmen.
In Bauchi State however, troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, in the ongoing Operation Lafiya Dole
on Saturday also encountered some members of a militia group at the
Burra Junction in the Ningi Local Government Area of the state.
The militiamen reportedly opened fire on
the troops and at the end of the gun battle, four militiamen were
killed, while the troops recovered five dane guns, 38 motorcycles and
nine bicycles.
Also, nine militiamen were arrested,
while a soldier, who sustained gunshot injuries, had been evacuated to a
hospital and receiving treatment.
The Director, Army Public Relations,
Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, who confirmed the arrest of the herdsmen, said
the troops were in pursuit of the fleeing herdsmen and militiamen.
Chukwu said, “Troops have arrested six
herdsmen in Kwata Sule, caught in the act of farmland destruction. Also,
the troops apprehended 12 herdsmen in Mbayer and Yandev areas during
the Presidential Assessment Team’s visit to the area. Two motorcycles
were recovered from the herdsmen.
“After the initial interrogation, the suspects were handed over to the police for further action.
“Similarly, troops on patrol in the general areas of Chembe, Tse-Gundu,
Tse-Iordye and Sbaor settlements sighted two herdsmen. They abandoned
their motorcycle and fled. During the search of the general area, one
round of 7.62mm special was discovered. We will continue to dominate the
general area with patrols.”