The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) in Taraba State has said the number of its vigilante killed by bandits was more than 30 as more bodies are yet to be recovered.
The Chairman of North East Zone of the association, Mafindi Danburan, revealed that it was Fulani vigilante group that went into the forest to flush out the bandits who were killed when they were ambushed by the bandits.
He told NorthEast Trust in an interview in Jalingo on Thursday, that the bandits are from Zamfara State and have taken over many forests and established camps.
Danburan explained that the vigilante group, set up by MACBAN, has been in the forefront in fighting kidnappers and cattle rustlers in the state.
He disclosed that the Fulani vigilante group was set up following the quit notice issued by Emir of Muri to criminal Fulani, adding that the group was inaugurated by the commissioner of police in the state in August.
The chairman further said the Fulani vigilante have arrested over 47 suspected kidnappers in their hideout and also recovered many weapons including Ak47 rifles.
He revealed that the suspects arrested and weapons recovered were all handed over to the police.
Danburan also disclosed that the Fulani vigilante have flushed out many kidnappers from their camps in Mayo Kam and Zodai in Bali Local Government Area.
He said the vigilante were on a mission to flush out bandits from their camp in Karal near Gassol town when they were ambushed.
He said if urgent security measure is not taken, “Taraba will be turned into another bandits’ den because right now hundreds of them have relocated into many forests areas in the state.
He therefore called on the federal government to deploy military and fighter jets to flush out bandits that took over forests in Gassol local government and many parts of the state.
