By Saidu Adamu
Jalingo
The Fulani community in Karim Lamido local government area of Taraba State has condemned the killing of two soldiers on a peace mission in the area.
Secretary of the group, Alhaji Ahmed Isa Karim made the condemnation while speaking with Journalists in Jalingo on Saturday.
He described the development as most unfortunate, saying it should not have happened in the first place.
While narrating the sad incident, Ahmed said that, while he was not justifying the attack on security personnel, the Fulani were forced to fight back when the army sided with the Bandawa militia and were killing the Fulanis and their cows.
He maintained that the army has a role to play in separating fights and should be seen playing a neutral role rather than taking sides with any of the warring groups.
Karim further explained that : “The killing of the two soldiers is most regrettable and should not have happened at all.
“However, I think it is very important to set the records straight.
“The army took sides with the Bandawa militia who had earlier in the day attacked the herders and were repelled.
“The Bandawa militia later came back with the soldiers and continued the massive killing of our cows and people until our people also stopped running and fought back, leading to the death of the two soldiers.
“As we speak, the soldiers are arresting Fulanis in that axis indiscriminately and confiscating cows at sight.
“I think this is just not right. It is not every Fulani person that is a criminal or was involved in the killing of the soldiers.
“So this stereotyping of our people in that area is not right at all.
“Also, they have confiscated more than a thousand cows that are now at the local government secretariat.
“These should be released to the rightful owners.
“Yesterday, they went to the mosque during Jumma’a prayers to arrest our people.
“Why will the Nigerian Army stoop so low to go about arresting people even at places of worship?
“It is unheard of and should be condemned by every sane member of the society.
“We urge the relevant authorities to quickly step in and ensure an amicable and unbiased solution to this crisis and the return of the cows to their owners.
“Taking sides in a dispute area will never bring solution.
“It will only aggravate the situation and so we once again call on the Nigerian Army to be neutral in carrying out the role that should be a Police and Civil Defence responsibility that they have now taken upon themselves.”
Confirming the incident on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer James Leshen, said security personnel had been dispatched to the area to restore order.
“Security agencies have been mobilised to the community to contain the situation and prevent further loss of lives,” Leshen stated.
He added that a full assessment of casualties was ongoing.
Also reacting to the incident, Musa Garba, a youth leader in Karim-Lamido, described the soldiers’ deaths as “a tragic reminder of the need for stronger government action.
“Our people are tired of running from their homes. We need a lasting solution to these senseless killings.”
Farmers-herders clashes have become a persistent security challenge in Taraba State, particularly in areas like Karim-Lamido, Lau, Wukari, Bali, and Gassol. Disputes over land use, grazing rights, and access to water resources often fuel the conflicts.
While the Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, it was confirmed by Lieutenant Umar Mohamed, its acting spokesperson of the 6 Brigade. (vitalnewsngr.com)
