Crime
Renewed violence in Otukpko as Fulani harder killed, over 20 cows slaughtered in Benue
Renewed violence in Otukpko as Fulani harder killed, over 20 cows slaughtered in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Tension has been building up in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State following a disturbing wave of coordinated attacks that claimed the life of a Fulani herder and led to the killing of more than 20 cows across several communities, in a dangerous escalation of violence and a troubling sign of institutional failure.
Zagazola gathered that the incident, which occurred between Dec. 4 and 5, resonates across Ondo, Ogobia, Ugboju and Otukpo Nobi areas already struggling with periodic communal hostilities. What is raising even more concern is an allegation of compromised handling of a key suspect by a the security agency, a move that has angered community members and reverberated fears of further reprisals.
The crisis deepened on Friday, Dec. 5, when armed men from the Ondo community in Ogobia reportedly laid an ambush for a Fulani herder, Hassan Sule, popularly known as Alhaji Foder. Reliable local sources said the victim was riding a motorcycle with one of his labourers to check on his cattle when the attackers opened fire.
The labourer escaped with injuries, but Foder was shot dead instantly.
In the moments that followed, panic spread among Fulani families in the area, prompting them to alert troops of the Nigerian Army stationed at the Ogobia military post. The soldiers immediately mobilised and accompanied the herders to recover the body.
But, according to eyewitnesses, the attackers struck again. as the joint team advanced, gunmen allegedly launched a second ambush, believing only Fulani herders were approaching.
“The soldiers returned fire instantly and overpowered them,” a source familiar with the operation said. “One of the attackers was arrested alive and disarmed.” The arrest was expected to be a breakthrough in identifying the masterminds of the attacks — until events took an alarming turn.
The arrested suspect was handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogoli/Ogboju for interrogation. But in a move that has stunned both the Fulani community. It was reported that the DPO allegedly released the suspect less than an hour after receiving him.
The Fulani Leaders alleged that when community representatives questioned the rationale for the sudden release, the DPO dismissed their concerns, saying the military had “no right” to arrest and hand suspects to him, insisting he “knew how to do his work.”
The decision, described as reckless and provocative, further fuelled anger in the already charged environment.
The killing of the herder came barely 24 hours after a separate attack on Dec. 4, when armed youths from Otukpo Nobi allegedly invaded grazing locations and killed more than 20 cows belonging to Fulani herders. Several animals were also reportedly injured.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State Chapter, confirmed the series of attacks, describing them as coordinated, unprovoked and aimed at instigating a wider crisis.
In a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, the association said: “These persistent and unprovoked attacks constitute a serious threat to peace, security and inter-community harmony.
“Our member, Hassan Sule, was killed in cold blood, and over 20 cows were slaughtered. Worse still, the suspect arrested by the Army was released without investigation.”
MACBAN demanded the immediate re-arrest of the released suspect, a full-scale investigation into the killing and destruction of livestock, and deployment of security personnel to prevent further attacks.
The association expressed anger over what it called “a dangerous failure of policing,” insisting that such actions embolden attackers and undermine fragile peace efforts.
Zagazola warned that failure to swiftly address the situation and hold perpetrators accountable could provoke retaliatory attacks and further destabilise the area as the atmosphere remains tense, with both communities accusing each other of provocation.
Reacting, a Police Sources who spoke to Zagazola and preferred to be anonymous said the report he saw was that “On 05/12/2025 at about 0830hrs, one Alh. Usman Amodu ‘m’, Fulani, of Onyilaba Ukpobi in Ohimini LGA, reported to the DPO Ogoli that on the same date, one Alh. Forda ‘m’ (surname yet unknown), Fulani, was attacked and killed in the bush by unknown armed gunmen numbering about eight.
He said that the DPO Ogoli mobilised a patrol team with detectives to the scene. The corpse was photographed, removed and deposited at the mortuary.
He added that the nearby bushes were thoroughly combed and efforts were ongoing to identify and track the suspects for arrest.
The sources however said he was not aware of any arrest of suspect made and their release by the DPO as alleged by the leaders of the Fulani.
Renewed violence in Otukpko as Fulani harder killed, over 20 cows slaughtered in Benue
Troops neutralise two terrorists, recover arms in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised two suspected terrorists during a fighting patrol in Zamfara State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted by troops of 1 Brigade Quick Reaction Force (QRF) from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bagega in the early hours of May 4.
The troops, while on patrol, advanced through Maikwanuga village in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, extending operations to Aljumma, Gidan Dawa, Magami Didi, and Tungar Magaji villages in Maradun Local Government Area.
During the operation, the troops made contact with suspected terrorists at Tungar Magaji village, where a firefight ensued.
“In the course of the engagement, two terrorists were neutralised, while others fled with possible gunshot wounds,” the source said.
Items recovered from the scene include one AK-47 rifle, 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a motorcycle.
The troops are currently exploiting the general area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further threats in the region.
Troops neutralise two terrorists, recover arms in Zamfara
Troops arrest five suspects in raid on criminal hideout in Imo
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, operating from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oguta, in collaboration with a local vigilante group, have raided a suspected cultist hideout in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
Security sources said the operation, conducted at about 3:34 p.m. on May 4, led to the arrest of five suspects allegedly linked to criminal activities in the area.
The sources noted that the group was believed to be responsible for a series of crimes within the general area.
One of the suspects has reportedly volunteered to lead troops to a suspected armoury located at Osomoto Valley in the same local government area.
The suspects are currently in custody, while further investigations and follow-up operations are ongoing.
Troops arrest five suspects in raid on criminal hideout in Imo
Crime
Three Killed in Renewed Violence between Fulani and Berom militia in Plateau as Troops Intensify Operations Amid Tit-for-Tat Attacks
Three Killed in Renewed Violence between Fulani and Berom militia in Plateau as Troops Intensify Operations Amid Tit-for-Tat Attacks
By Zagazola Makama
Three civilians have been killed in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State in a renewed outbreak of violence amid ongoing tit-for-tat attacks linked to longstanding communal tensions between groups in parts of the state.
Security sources said the incident occurred in the night of May 3 at about 8:55 p.m. when suspected fulani armed elements ambushed civilians travelling on motorcycles along a rural route near Fan Loo. The victims were reportedly intercepted and shot before the attackers fled into nearby bushes.
Troops of Sector 4 under Operation Safe Haven (OPEP) were immediately alerted and deployed to the scene. However, on arrival, they met the aftermath of the attack, with three persons confirmed dead.
The bodies were evacuated after preliminary assessment, while security forces launched follow-up operations in surrounding communities to track the fleeing attackers.
According to security sources, the incident is believed to be part of a wider pattern of tit-for-tat violence in parts of Barkin Ladi and adjoining Local Government Areas, where communities have repeatedly experienced cycles of attacks and reprisal killings linked to longstanding communal tensions and armed group activities.
The latest attack comes barely days after a series of violent incidents in Plateau State, including kidnappings, killings, and armed confrontations between security forces and armed groups in Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi axis. Within the week, a Paster was killed, his wife and daughter in response to an earlier attack on Fulani and rustling of livestock.
In Barkin Ladi, a Fulani community leader, Alhaji Lawal Abubakar, was recently abducted from his residence in Kara village, prompting search operations by troops. In Bokkos, Mr. Danlami Luka was killed in Kaban village in an attack that also heightened tensions in surrounding settlements.
In Mangu Local Government Area, troops have been engaged in multiple operations following earlier unrest, including a deadly confrontation in Sabon Gari community during an attempt to prevent escalation of youth mobilisation linked to a prior killing at a mining site.
That incident, according to security sources, escalated rapidly when troops came under fire while attempting to restore order, The locals, attacked the Nigerian Army troops killing a senior officer in the process. The troops responded in self defense leading to the neutralisation of two attackers and recovery of weapons. The situation later triggered further unrest and retaliatory attacks in parts of the LGA, with the youths blocking the roads and attacking people identified as Hausa or Muslims.
Troops later conducted operation within same communities where they recovered additional weapons and ammunition from locals.
Across the state, troops of Operation Enduring Peace have maintained an intensified operational posture, conducting patrols, cordon-and-search missions, arrests of suspected criminals, and show-of-force operations aimed at stabilising volatile communities.
In Bassa Local Government Area, a suspected vandal was recently arrested while attempting to steal copper cables, while in Jos East and Jos South, troops intervened in disputes involving farmland destruction and grazing conflicts to prevent escalation into wider violence.
Despite these interventions, Plateau State continues to experience violence characterised by attacks, reprisals, and counter-operations, particularly in rural communities where grievances are often quickly transformed into armed confrontations.
The Fan Loo killings, fit into this expanding trend, where attacks on civilians frequently trigger retaliatory tensions, further complicating security responses and increasing the risk of escalation. Youths and religious leaders have also continued to make inflammatory remarks aimed at pitching locals against non indigenes.
Three Killed in Renewed Violence between Fulani and Berom militia in Plateau as Troops Intensify Operations Amid Tit-for-Tat Attacks
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