Tobias Sylvester
A Fulani herdsman identified as Mallam Lawal Ahamadu has cried for justice after losing no fewer than 34 cows to hoodlums who attacked his house in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, Ahamadu said about 27 cows were killed while at least seven others were declared missing when hoodlums invaded his house located at Ogodo area of Ankpa on July 30 and August 16 to carry out the dastardly act.
According to him, that the attackers, who were mostly youths, came with dangerous weapons to eliminate the entire members of his family and his cows, which were the source of his livelihood.
Ahmadu said that the youths, who were armed with guns, knives and other dangerous weapons, had earlier attacked his house on July 30 and made away with nine big cows.
He explained that the hoodlums again invaded his house on August 16, carted away 16 cows and shot seven others.
The herdsman pointed out that the attackers came in three tricycles on the two occasions, noting that the hoodlums also butchered the cows in his presence and used the tricycles to carry the meat to unknown destination.
He also lamented that two of the seven cows shot by the attackers died few days later, bringing the total number of cows killed to 27.
Ahmadu added that he has been rendered hopeless as the hoodlums left only five young cows for him, stressing that he does not know how to feed his three wives and children.
He stated that he had reported the incidents to the police, the community head, Kogi State Vigilante Service, the local government administrator, and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACABAN).
The Secretary of the Kogi State chapter of the MACBAN, Mr. Abubakar Adamu, told journalists that the matter had been taken up with the state government and the state police command.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP William Aya, also confirmed the incidents, disclosing that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the attacks.
Aya said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ayuba Ede, had ordered additional deployment of policemen to protect the area and forestall another attack on the herdsman.
KanyiDaily recalls that Imo State Government had payed a compensation fee of N8 million to some Fulani herdsmen whose cows numbering up to 55 were declared missing.
