Tension: Many Cattle Killed, Houses Burnt Over Soldier’s Death
The Luggere herding community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State has decried the killing of their cattle and burning of their houses by soldiers.
This followed the death of a soldier, whose body was found around Maraban Kantoma, a community bordering Barkin Ladi and Mangu local government areas.
It was reports that the soldier was killed and his rifle stolen by the perpetrators at a checkpoint located in the area.
The herders said soldiers stormed their community around 3am, opened fire on animals, and burned down several of their houses while they were asleep.
The leader of the herders in the area, Abdullahi Umar, who confirmed the incident to journalists in Jos, claimed the soldiers demanded they vacate the community if those who killed the soldier were not produced.
He added that despite the killings and destruction of their property, the soldiers insisted they must provide the perpetrators for an offence they knew nothing about.
The Fulani leader claimed that the Fulani community is far away from where the incident occurred, adding that there are other communities closer to the checkpoint than theirs.
“We are calling on the soldiers to investigate those who perpetrated the crime and bring them to book. We are also appealing to them to ensure justice. We have been facing different kinds of harassment,” Abdullahi said.
Major Samson Zhakom, the military spokesperson, had not responded to the inquiry by our correspondent on the incident at press time.
