INSECURITY: 11 kidnappers handed over to the police

The leadership of Miyyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has handed over 11 suspected kidnappers and gun runners to the police. The suspects were handed over to Taraba police commissioner, Mr Abimbola Sokoya, at Maraban kunini, on Sunday.

They were presented during the formal inauguration of a 16-man committee set up to tackle criminal activities, especially kidnapping. The chairman of the Miyyetti Allah Cattle breeders Association in the state, Sahabi Tukur, said this was done in response to pledge made before the Emir of Muri Alhaji Abbas Tafida, and state Commissioner of police that they will expose criminal elements among them.

He said the committee members drawn from all the Fulani clans in the state would work along with police and other security agents in all the 16 local government areas of the state to fish out kidnappers and other criminals. The police commissioner commended the Fulani for their resolve to address kidnapping and other crimes being perpetrated by bad eggs among them.

He also called for collaboration effort between Adamawa, Benue and Taraba states in tackling kidnapping and other criminals activities. He assured the Fulani of his command’s support to the command support in their efforts to weed out criminals elements among them. Meanwhile, a violent clash between Shomo and Jole ethnic groups in Lau local government area of Taraba state has claimed the lives of several people. The crisis started between the two ethnic groups as a result of the dispute over ownership of a fish pond. It was gathered that during the clash Shomo Sarki town was completely burnt down.

For many years the two ethnic groups located close to River Benue have been in a serious dispute over ownership of the fishing pond. The clashes led to the state government banning the two groups from fishing in the disputed pond.

A source speaking to the newspaper publication said one of the ethnic groups attempted to fish st the pond but was violently stopped by the opposing ethnic group which resulted in a clash. However, hundreds of people including elderly persons, women, and children have fled the area.