Over 1,000 cows have been killed and some young Fulani herders tending the livestock sustained injuries in multiple airstrikes by two military helicopters on the herders’ settlements in Keana and Doma local government areas of Nasarawa State.
A source said the operation was conducted under Operation Whirl Stroke, a military operation initiated to rid the North Central region of criminalities.
He said during the operation some bandits shot at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft, which triggered the bombardment of the entire area.
The acting Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Nasarawa State, Bala Mohammed Dabo, said hundreds of cows were also killed between Kwatanbala and Akwanaja in Doma local government area of Nasarawa State..
“There is no justification for gunships to come to Nasarawa territory and kill cows. It would have been different if they were killed in Benue,” he said.
“Our cows had come back home from grazing when the aircraft came and killed them around 6pm. We are in real pain and we pray for help from whatever quarter we can get it. The cows are our source of livelihood.
“We have sat with military officials in Nasarawa State. The commander here represented the overall commander in Benue and he promised that he will escalate the matter to the relevant authorities.
“We pleaded that they should halt the unprovoked siege and killing of cows in Nasarawa State.
“A governor from neighbouring Benue should stop dictating what is happening in Nasarawa. The Fulani are the most hated people in Nigeria because nobody is speaking for us. We are being killed and maimed and our source of livelihood destroyed without provocation.
“The anti-grazing law in Benue State is just an alibi…It is meant to force the Fulani to extinction. The federal government should rise up to the challenge and salvage our people.”
