Armed Fulani herdsmen have reportedly
killed six mobile policemen in Numan town in Adamawa State.
The officers, according to a report by
PREMIUM TIMES were killed in the night while trying to make arrests
at Dowaya, a predominantly Fulani settlement.
Following the killing many residents
have started fleeing the area.
Police spokesperson, Othman Abubakar, a
superintendent of police, said he had heard there was problem in
Numan but could not immediately give details.
Mr. Abubakar said he was at a “crucial
meeting” with the state Commissioner of Information and other
relevant officials.
The North-East Chairman of Miyetti
Allah, Mafindi Umaru Danburam, also told PREMIUM TIMES he had
received report that there was problem in Numan “when some people
in uniform attacked those that were taking refuge at Dowaya”.
He said two people were shot and that
he was trying to get further details.
Dozens of mainly Fulani residents,
including and children, were killed in Numan over a week ago by a
local militia.
One source said police had been tipped
off about a gathering of Fulani residents, and were trying to storm
the area.
Another source said those at the
gathering were merely “mourning” their slain wives and children
when police stormed the area. The “mourners” had relocated from
Shafaran, Shawal, Gumara, Kikam and Kadamt, he said.
“Some residents in the area were not
comfortable, so they tipped-off and mobile police launched a night
operation to arrest the Fulanis and a fight ensued during which at
least six mobile police were said to have been killed.
“As I am talking to you more security
operatives were deployed to Dowaya area including soldiers and they
have cordoned-off the village.
‘’There is pandemonium right now in
Numan and environs; already residents are fleeing for fear of
reprisals,’’ said a vigilante member who asked not to be named.
Modibbo Ahmadu, a Fulani fleeing the
area, told PREMIUM TIMES by phone ‘’You know some of our brothers
who were displaced are now taking refuge at Dowaya village , where
they do observe the usual 40 days mourning for those killed by
Bachama militias.
‘’Just last night we got distress
call that some people in security uniform stormed on them and had
shot two youths, so definitely in this kind of situation anything
could happen.
‘’And that’s the situation for
now, even we at the neighbouring villages are not safe, and many had
fled,’’ he said.
-PM News
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