LAGOS, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A Nigerian cattle breeders group has said those who carried out the attacks in central north Plateau were on a revenge mission.
Danladi Ciroma, a regional head of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), who confirmed this to reporters on Tuesday, described the killings, where over 80 persons were killed, as retaliatory.
"There have been recent reports of cow rustling and destruction of farms between Berom farmers and Fulani herdsmen. The people carrying out these criminal activities are well known to the communities but the communities are hiding them," he added.
According to him, Fulani herdsmen have lost about 300 cows in the last few weeks, while 94 cows were rustled by armed Berom youths in Fan village, another 36 cows were killed by Berom youths.
"In addition to that, 174 cattle were rustled and the criminals disappeared with them to Mangu," he added.
The chairman told reporters no one should expect peace in the areas, since these cows were not found.
"Even soldiers that went after the criminals to recover the rustled cows were shot by the armed rustlers and eventually escaped with all the cows," he added.
Speaking in the same vein, the National President of MACBAN, Muhammadu Kiruwa, on Monday condemned reprisal in any form but alleged that Berom youths had recently killed five cattle merchants, stole their cows, about 5,000 U.S. dollars and set their vehicles ablaze.
According to him, the genesis of the crisis has been rampant attacks and rustling of their cows by Berom youths in Barkin Ladi area of the state.
"The situation is not good; we are not happy about what is going on because the lives of people are being endangered, not only Fulani or farmers, the lives of all Nigerians are in danger. We are not happy, we are calling on the security agencies and government to checkmate all these problems," he told reporters.
Meanwhile, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo has visited the state following attacks that left scores of people dead.
Osibanjo, who was in the state to assess the situation and interact with leaders in the state, said perpetrators of the heinous crime would not only be arrested but be made to face justice.
He said Special Forces have been deployed to restore peace in the state.
According to him, the Inspector General of Police has deployed more personnel to Plateau and the Chief of Defense Staff has announced that Special Forces will be deployed to Plateau.
The Special Forces would complement the Operation Safe Haven's effort that has been keeping peace in the state, he added.
The vice president expressed sadness over the development.
Osibanjo told his audience that the government was taken aback because in the last three years, Plateau had become an example of how to restore peace.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari strongly condemned the attacks in Plateau in which no fewer than 86 people were killed and several others injured.
Terna Tyopev, a police spokesperson, said 50 houses, two cars and 15 motorcycles were burnt in the attacks by herders.
The herdsmen were reported to have invaded Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area where the deaths occurred.
The Plateau Government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Jos South local government areas following the attacks.
