The spokesperson of the state police command, SP Usman Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident, said the military officer was ambushed and killed while the other persons were either Kuteb or Fulani extractions.
No fewer than 20 persons have been reportedly killed in a fresh clash between farmers and herdsmen in the Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The spokesperson of the state police command, SP Usman Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident, said the military officer was ambushed and killed while the other persons were either Kuteb or Fulani extractions.
“The military officer who was from the checkpoint coming back to 93 Battalion Barrack was ambushed and killed, though nothing was taken from him, his motorcycle and luckily he has no rifle on him,” Usman stated.
“He was killed by unknown persons and an investigation has been launched to unravel those behind the killing. Statistically, 20 Kuteb indigenes were killed while three Fulani herdsmen also paid the supreme price as a result of the crisis.”
According to Channels Television, the spokesman explained that at the moment, the major problem halting the return of peace is the claim by the Fulani herdsmen that their cattle are held hostage by the Kuteb farmers and the denial from the other end.
Stressing that the problem they faced was that the Fulani claimed their cattle were rustled and held hostage within the Kuteb farmers’ areas while the Kutebs fear going to the farm for fear of attack from the Fulani herdsmen.
“The Commissioner of Police has called on the leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Ussa and the claimants to discuss, agree and go to where they alleged that their cattle are held hostage for fact-finding as well as the release of same for peace to reign,” the police spokesman added.
He also revealed that two immigration officers and a soldier were ambushed and killed in a separate incident in the Takum LGA of the state.
“Two immigration officers were ambushed and killed by unknown person along Takum-Ussa road while a soldier was also ambushed and killed while returning from duty in Takum town.”