Fulani herdsman arrested with pistol in Benue

The capital of Benue State, the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards (BSCVG) successfully apprehended a gun-wielding Fulani herdsman.

The incident occurred in the Agboghol community, situated behind the Modern Market, a suburban area of Makurdi.

The herdsman was found trespassing on farmland with his cattle, armed with a locally fabricated pistol. This arrest follows closely on the heels of a tragic event where James Okoh, the commander of the agro rangers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, lost his life during an operation in the Shaapera community, perpetrated by armed herdsmen in the Gwer West region of the state.

In a press conference held in Makurdi, Mr. Joseph Har, the Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs to the governor, commended the vigilance of the community members for not resorting to vigilante justice. He emphasized that the arrested herdsman would be handed over to the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr Felix Mnyim, for prosecution in accordance with the law.

Har stated, “I received a distress call from the Agboghol community reporting herders grazing on their land. When confronted, one of the herders brandished a
gun, but fortunately, the community overpowered and apprehended him.”

He continued, “What’s remarkable is the restraint shown by the locals. Instead of resorting to violence, they apprehended the armed herder and handed him over to the authorities. We will ensure that proper legal procedures are followed to prevent any loopholes in the justice system.”

Capt. Ayuma Ajobi (rtd), the Commander of Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, expressed gratitude to the informant whose prompt action led to the apprehension of the suspect. He affirmed that after preliminary investigations, the suspect would be transferred to the appropriate authority for further legal proceedings.