Benue State, Nigeria has recently experienced severe attacks by armed herders leading to the death of about 130 people, the state government ordered the suspension of the activities of livestock guards for two weeks to investigate alleged cases of cattle rustling.
The Benue Police Command on Wednesday paraded nine suspected rustlers who conspired with criminal herders to rustle cows and shared the proceeds. The State Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, said the suspects “specialized in rustling of cattle that fueled killings in the state”.
Investigations have revealed that some hoodlums from both herder and farm clans have been fueling crises in these areas for their gain. The police have urged for the identification and dealing with these criminal elements by the law. The police arrested the suspects and recovered a locally made pistol loaded with one round of 9mm live ammunition and four cows.
The suspects have confessed to being a vicious syndicate made up of herders and farmers.