ecurityABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The troops of Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army, has said in its efforts to ensure a crime free environment within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs, arrested about 92 suspected Fulani herdsmen within Abuja and Nasarawa State on Sunday.
The Assistant Director Army Public Relations (ADAPR), Guards Brigae, Capt Bashir Jajira, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying that about 36 suspected herdsmen claimed to be on a mission to recover their allegedly stolen cattle but were stopped on their track at the check point bordering FCT and Nasarawa state.
Jajira said that another set of 56 armed suspected herdsmen, were arrested by soldiers in Dantata, the military checkpoint along Airport road also entering the FCT on Sunday.
He said that there were those arrested at the Keffi entry point by the soldiers at the check-point in two vehicles, a Diana pick up truck and Toyota Camry Saloon car, with assorted arms and ammunition.
“A group of 36 herdsmen in Diana Truck and Toyota Camry Car with Reg No. Abj Kuj 994 FX and Niger Sul 541 XA were intercepted and arrested at 177 Guards Battalion location b Keffi point. During interrogation by troops at the checkpoint, they claim to be going to Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State,” he stated.
The spokesman said that after a thorough checking of the vehicles, several weapons were recovered including: pump Action Gun, 19 cartridge Dane guns, 118 cartridge ammo, 28 cutlasses, three jack knives, 14 sticks, seven Touch lights, certifcate of occupancy, assorted charms and hard drugs.
He said that the suspected herdsmen were arrested while claiming “to be going to Nassarawa Local Government in Nasarawa state”.
Jajira assured that the suspects would be handed over to the Police for prosecution, adding that “at about 4:00pm on Sunday 17th April 2016, 56 herdsmen were arrested in Dantata Gwagwalada General area, items recovered from them includes 26 cartridge dane guns, 49 knives and cutlasses”.
“They however claimed to be on the look out on hose who stole their cows,” he added
The Commander Guards Brigade, Brig-Gen. Musa Yusuf, he stated, assured residents of the FCT that criminals cannot find a safe haven within Abuja, as the collaboration with other security agencies is strengthened to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the nation’s capital.
Yusuf called on the public to ensure that information on criminal activities gets to the security agencies early enough for appropriate action to be taken.