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Six people were killed last weekend when cattle herders battled farmers in northeast Nigeria, a state government official said on Tuesday, in violence that has piled pressure on the government. The clashes happened on Sunday in the Numan district of Adamawa state, where militia from the ethnic Bachama farming community killed at least 30 Fulani herders last November. “Six people were killed and many others were injured in attacks on two villages, Kikan and Lauru,” Adamawa state information commissioner Ahmad Sajo told AFP. “A group of Fulani attacked Kikan, which is a Bachama village, killing three people, injuring many and carting away cattle.” He added: “Bachama youths in the area mobilised and launched a reprisal attack on nearby Lauru village.” But the attack may have targeted the wrong community, as Lauru is home to Hausa-speaking Muslims who are not Fulani people. “They are largely vegetable growers,” said Sajo. “They (the Bachama) killed three people, burned ...

The Federal Government says work will commence next week on cattle colonies in states that has indicated interest to establish them. PREMIUM TIMES reported the mixed reactions that have trailed the proposal for cattle colonies. Some states like Benue and Taraba, which have experienced clashes between farmers and herdsmen, have rejected the proposal, while others like Kogi supported it. Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed the imminent commencement on Friday during a visit to the Agriculture and Veterinary Complex of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Mr. Ogbeh said the National Economic Council on Thursday set up a 10-member committee comprising the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, as chairman and nine governors to facilitate the commencement of the cattle colonies in interested states. “We are happy that we are making progress in agriculture now. “One of the most topical issues we have today is that of farmers and herdsmen clashes. “If...

Security agencies in Nigeria have alleged that the Islamic State in West Africa network operating within some North Central and South-South sections of Nigeria may be responsible for the recent killings recorded in Benue State and other parts of the country, PUNCH reports. This information is said to be contained in an intelligence report presented to President Muhammadu Buhari by security agencies, including the Department of State Service. A top government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity told journalists on Sunday that the security organisations told the President that the ISWA network is using foreign terrorists and recruiting young men to fight and kill innocent persons “ostensibly to exacerbate tensions along the county’s ethnic, religious and regional fault lines.” He said the discovery was made following the arrest of several suspected attackers made up of Fulani herdsmen, government-sponsored militias, militants and other miscreants in Benue State. A...

The video shared by The Sun, shows the senior pastor of the Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, speaking on the herdsmen issue. According to him, he received a communique from a group known as the Fulani Nationality Movement saying God has given them the land Nigeria and that there will be no peace unless the cattle colonies are established. ”just last night I got this believe from the Fulani Nationality Movement saying that God has given them this land and that they have the right to live anywhere, and until the colony is established, there’ll be no rest in Nigeria” he said LIB cannot verify if this video is a recent one... Watch the video below

Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial district, Shehu Sani has lampooned Benue elders for visiting President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Villa over herdsmen killings in Benue. In his contribution at the plenary on Tuesday, he blamed the elders saying, President Buhari ought to have visited Benue State over the incident during which the State lost over 73 indegenes and not otherwise. “As regards to the crisis where over 73 lives were lost in Benue, it is enough for Aso Rock to travel to the scene of the crisis, not Benue elders coming to Aso Rock. To do what?”, he quipped. The lawmaker added that politicians and leaders who have 2019 on their mind do not tell Mr. President the truth. He was emphatic that some Senators out of 109 of them were hiding the truth, a situation he posited, did not augur well for the nation. Sani further stressed that the three arms of government were not living up to their expectations. “Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the executiv...

Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has released telephone numbers to call to report any strange movement of herdsmen in the State. This is contained in a terse statement on Friday by his spokesman, Lere Olayinka. “Members of the public should endeavour to call any of the numbers or send SMS in the event of strange movement of herdsmen and other suspected criminal elements in the State. “The phone lines will be on 24 hours. 08104780752; 09070769294; 09038122504; 08104730482”, it reads. Recall that on Wednesday, the governor met with Ekiti hunter over herdsmen menace. Fayose warned that the state will fight anyone who attempts to create anarchy and bloodletting. “On the issue of protection of the lives of Ekiti people, I’m not one that will want to be politically correct (sic). Protection of lives must be done anyway which way. “The message is simple: Don’t take laws into your hands, but defend Ekiti and its people,” he said.

The People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in Plateau State has lambasted Governor Simon Lalong, over his comments on there killings in Benue state. PDP also condemned Lalong for attacking Governor Samuel Ortom ​over the anti-grazing law which became effective November 1, 2017. Joan Akans, PDP publicity secretary in Plateau, in a strongly-worded statement, expressed shock at Lalong’s description of the killing of innocent people in their homes as “clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers”. The opposition party noted that “impress his ‘oga at the top’ and State House Press, Governor Lalong said he restored peace in the state within three months of his coming to office, dismissing the recent killings that took place in the last three months In Barkin Ladi, Ryom and Bassa local government areas.” ”Rather than proceed to Benue State on his return from vacation abroad to commiserate with our brothers and sisters following the massacre of innocent lives and the rendering of thousands h...