The police in Benue State, on Wednesday, paraded nine suspected cattle rustlers in connection with the recent killings in three communities in the Apa, Otukpo and Guma local government areas of the state.
The series of attacks on Igbobi, Umogidi and Mgban communities claimed no fewer than 130 lives with many displaced.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Catherine Anene, while parading nine suspects, said they ‘specialised in rustling cattle that fuelled killings in the state.’
Anene said, “In recent times, investigation into herder/farmer conflict in most local governments revealed that some hoodlums from both the herders and farms clans have been fuelling crises in these areas for their own gains. There is a need to identify these criminal elements and deal with them in accordance with the laws.
“On April 10, 2020 at about 1700hrs, men of Operation Zenda JTF on patrol in the Guma Local Government Area intercepted and arrested one Terwase Nyion, aka Orjen, and three others while others fled from the scene.
“On April 16, 2023 at about 1700hrs, information was received that some hoodlums had attacked herders grazing in the Tarkaa Local Government Area and made away with some cattle.
“Police detectives in the area immediately stormed their hideout and arrested the following persons: Terdoo Tyo, Meryima Dziegh, Jimeshio Dziegh, Tahar Dziegh and Mercy Iyio, who was already preparing cow meat in the kitchen.”
The PPRO said investigation revealed that the syndicate usually conspired with criminal herders to rustle cattle, sell and share the proceeds.
“They go back to the same victims (herders) to deceive them that their cattle were rustled by farmers so as to create crises and have more opportunity to loot from innocent persons,” Anene said.
The police spokesperson added that the items recovered from the gang included one locally-made pistol loaded with one round of 9mm live ammunition and four cows, adding, the “suspects confessed to be a vicious syndicate made up of herders and farmers.”
While calling on herders and farmers to promptly report to police any such case, Anene said that Commissioner of Police in the state, Wale Abass, condemned the mischievous act that instigated crises in some areas of the state.
