Tension in Plateau as Fulani herdsmen accuses STF of razing houses… It's a lie, STF says

A fresh crisis is brewing in Jos between Fulani herdsmen and security agencies in the state over allegations by the cattle breeders that their houses were razed by rampaging soldiers.

But the spokesperson of the Security Task Force (STF), the inter agency outfit handling security in Plateau state, Salisu Mustapha, denied the allegation that men of the STF burnt down buildings in Kakuru Village of Barikin Ladi local government.

“What happened was that one of our officers was killed in the area and his weapon and ammunition were taken away,” Mr. Mustapha told PREMIUM TIMES via telephone Wednesday morning.

He added that the STF team went to the village to recover the weapons and ammunitions of the murdered officer.

“Our men went to the village to recover the weapon and ammunition taken away and they arrested some suspects, but no destruction took place and investigation is ongoing,” he added.

But the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (CBA) in the state insisted the STF burnt down houses of its members in the raid.

According to the secretary of the CBA, Nuru Abdullahi, the STF erroneously assumed the Police officer was killed by Fulani herdsmen.

“Some soldiers and policemen of the STF stormed Fulani residences of Kakuru village and started burning and demolishing houses,” Mr Abdullahi said.

In a related development, a source within the University of Jos Senior Staff Quarters, informed PREMIUM TIMES that about three suspected militants were arrested last night in the area.

The source added that the suspects were caught with some improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and were quickly whisked away by STF operatives.

However, STF spokesperson, Mr. Mustapha, denied that any arrest was made within the vicinity of the University staff quarters.