Monarch raises alarm over kidnapping, destruction of 300 farms

A traditional ruler in a Taraba community has raised alarm over the increasing rate of kidnappings and destruction of over 300 farms by suspected herdsmen in his domain.

Retired Justice Sani Suleiman, who is the chief of Mutum Biyu in Gassol Local Government Area of the state, while addressing Fulani leaders including Hardos, Jauros and District heads in his palace in Mutum Biyu, said the kidnapping and destruction of crops were all traced to Fulani herdsmen.

• Family members of murdered ISIS fighters repatriated to Abuja
• PODCAST: IDP Camps: A Ticking Time Bomb

According to him, Hardos and Jauros had always denied involvement of its people in the acts, adding that a recent kidnapping attempt, during which one of the suspected kidnappers was killed in the act, has however exposed the herdsmen’s involvement.

“The suspected kidnapper killed when he and other suspects attacked the house of a large-scale farmer at Jauro Manu village was identified as a herdsman,” he said.

He warned the Hardos that kidnapping and destruction of crops by herdsmen was unacceptable and compensation must be paid to owners of farms destroyed.