Fresh tension mounts in Jos as over 200 cattle are stolen and fears grow of Fulani reprisals

TENSION is mounting in the Plateau State capital Jos raising fears of a fresh spate of communal attacks after 209 cattle went missing out of which 100 have been recovered and 20 found dead.

Over recent years, Nigeria has been wracked by incessant clashes between Fulani cattle herdsmen and local farming communities over grazing rights, leading to murderous pogroms. Farmers accuse the herdsmen of destroying their crops and then carrying out murderous attacks when asked for compensation, while the Fulani claim that their cattle are constantly stolen.

So far, the government has done little to arrest the situation, leaving communities defenceless when attacked by Fulani herdsmen. Heavily armed with AK47 assault rifles, the herdsmen attack communities they believe have stolen or harmed their cattle, sometimes killing dozens in the process.

Earlier today, there was confusion at the Headquarters of the Special Military Taskforce, codenamed Operation Safe Haven (OPSH)  in Jos, over the alleged theft of 209 cows by suspected rustlers. OPSH commander Major General Anthony Atolagbe, had stated that 200 cows were missing, out of which 100 had been recovered and 20 found dead.

He added that some of the suspects had been arrested. However, the spokesman for the agency, Major Umar Adams, said no arrests had been made so far.

Major Adams said: “Up till now, there is no arrest as the security operatives are still on their trail and so far, they are still recovering more of the cows. They recovered about five cows and one sheep yesterday while on the trail of the rustlers.

“Our personnel have been deployed and they are carrying out raids to ensure that they arrest the perpetrators. In the course of the operation, they have been able to recover about five cows and one sheep but for now, there has been no arrest.”

Unofficial sources said 20 persons had been arrested for cow rustling in the state. Although information about the suspects was still sketchy, it was learnt that they cut across Hausa, Fulani and some other ethnic groups in Plateau State.