Scores of Fulanis from Gayam and Jatau communities under Gashaka and Bali local councils of Taraba State have fled their homes as a result of unchecked incursion by local vigilantes whom they believe were being sponsored by the state government.
Over 100 of the pastoralists were spotted at Mararaba motor park in Nasarawa State, near the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), according to Daily Trust. They told the medium they were victims of repeated onslaught by the vigilantes who evicted them after an unofficial quit notice.
“We thought it was a joke as our village head did not notify us of anything. We thought that nothing would happen to us,” said Usman Dan Usman, one of the evicted victims. “But suddenly, we saw them and they followed us to our houses, killing and confiscating our cattle and chickens.”
Usman alleged that the vigilantes killed children and elderly persons even as their offence remains unknown.
A MISSING BROTHER
Umar Babuga, another victim, explained that he was with his brother when the vigilantes attacked them on a field and seized their cattle numbering about 200. Babuga further stated that he has been searching for his elder brother whom he believes might have been killed.
“That morning, we took our livestock to drink water when the vigilantes came on motorcycles and some on foot, shooting towards our direction,” he recalled. “They confiscated our cattle. We fled, but our elder brother could not run. They took everything and him as well. While we were running, we heard gunshots and presumed they may have killed him. We searched for him but couldn’t find him. There was no trace of his remains.”
The Taraba State Police Command claimed it was not aware of the incident. Usman Abdullahi, spokesman for the command said: “The command is not aware that some Fulani residents have been attacked and chased out of their houses and forced to relocate to the FCT.”
Although not everyone who fled the community were victims of the attacks, some took to their heels for fear of being attacked.
“We fled because of horrific news from neighbouring communities, such as Jatau in Bali Local Government Area,” said Umaru Abubakar, a resident of Gayam who revealed that the killings started in Jatau where cattle were rsusled and a number of houses were razed.
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However, the Taraba State government refuted claims that the Fulanis were attacked by vigilantes. Lois Emmanuel, commissioner for information and orientation in the state, claimed that assailants from neighbouring Cameroon attacked several communities in the area threatening lives and property.
His words: “Naturally, this development has attracted resistance from locals. It is, therefore, not an inter-ethnic or intra-ethnic rivalry or clashes as some people portray it.
“It is for this reason that the involvement of vigilantes is under the strict supervision of security agencies. They are not allowed to operate alone so that they will not take laws into their hands.”
