The Taraba State Police Command has nabbed 54 herdsmen for alleged participation in attacks on communities in the state.
Fifty-two of the herdsmen were picked up on March 14 in Takum LGA as they were reportedly returning from Bantaje Cattle Market, where they had gone to sell their cattle.
According to the North- East Zonal Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Mafindi Danburam, the herdsmen were arrested on the instruction of the Takum Council Chairman, Shiban Tikari.
Speaking at a press conference in Jalingo, Danburam added that the arrest was capable of jeopardising peace in the area.
He said the association had visited the police command headquarters to demand for explanation on the reason for the arrest, charges against the men and the statement the complainant wrote.
Danburam noted that all these were not disclosed by police authorities.
While stressing that Takum had become a no-go area for Fulani people and their cattle continued to be killed, he called on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to intervene.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Akinremi, however said that his men acted on an intelligence report to arrest the men.
He said the command got information that there was a mass movement of people suspected to be the perpetrators of some violent attacks at Bawe, Panshen, Muji 1 and Muji 2 villages in Takum Local Government Area.
He said that some natives told police that the suspects were preparing to launch an assault on the area.
However, he confirmed that nothing incriminating was found on the suspects.
Akinremi further disclosed that 41 of the suspects said they had cattle in Kashimbilla, adding that the command would verify the claim that they took cattle to the Bantaje Cattle Market for sale.
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