Bereaved Benue dad cries out: Govt, police doing nothing to stop Fulani herdsmen killing us
Some suspected Fulani herdsmen recently invaded Tse Vambe community in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. They beheaded a farmer and injured several others. Pa Usende Nyitar, father of the deceased, Titus Nyitar, 33, tells the circumstances that led to his son’s death
Was the deceased, Titus Nyitar, your biological child?
He was my biological child and the fourth child in the family but due to his passion and attitude, he was always looked up to as if he was the eldest.
Was he living in the village?
He was not living in the village. He always visited to assist the family whenever the need arose. He stayed in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area of the state. He was studying at the college of education in Naka. He was in his final year before he was killed.
How did you hear about your son’s death?
I was informed about his death by the villagers who witnessed the incident. They told me that my son was killed by herdsmen. He went to the farm with two of his siblings, only for me to be told that herdsmen ambushed them and killed him.
How did it happen?
On that day, three of my sons went to the farm at the village to get food for the family as we had been displaced. The entire community had been deserted due to frequent and constant attacks by herdsmen. We had all relocated from the village to Daudu town to take refuge. That was what prompted me to send the children to go and get some foods for our upkeep. So, while the children were on the farm, two of the herdsmen came out of the bush and started shooting and chasing them.
One was fast enough and took off on his motorcycle immediately but the other two were running. They got to a point where they could no longer run so they started trekking. Suddenly, the herdsmen reappeared again, captured one of them and killed him with their machetes. They beheaded him. However, the other two were able to escape to Daudu.
Did they see the herdsmen upon their arrival on the farm?
There was no sign at all. But immediately they got to the farm, they were in a hurry to leave because they were aware that any delay would be dangerous. It was after they had put the produce in a sack and were about to leave on their motorcycles that the herdsmen suddenly appeared and began to shoot at them.
According to my second son who escaped, they were almost done and about to take the food items and leave when they saw those herdsmen. After hearing the gunshots, they also saw herds of cattle coming towards the direction of our farm.
What action has the community taken since the recent attacks started?
Even before the recent attacks, the community had reported this matter to the appropriate authorities. First, community members took the report of killings to our traditional rulers in the area. We went to the Ter Guma and told him about the attacks. We also reported to the police and the military in the area. After this last incident, we reported the matter to the police and the Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke. It was the OPWS that went there and brought the remains of my son to me.
Did anyone in the community see the attackers when they came?
Yes, some people in the community saw them; they were identified as Fulani herdsmen militia. In fact, we usually see them with heavily sophisticated weapons moving around the community. Each time we see them, we always run away.
It was reported that some community dwellers fled, how was the attack carried out?
People have deserted the area. This is because nobody knows when, where and how they would launch another attack on us. Sometimes, they come in the morning. Sometimes, they come in the night and wait in ambush. They wait for people that come to the community to carry out farming activities.
For instance, my sons went to the farm early in the morning to get food items with the hope of returning home immediately.
You can imagine being attacked as early as that time; the herdsmen had been waiting in ambush for them. The other time they attacked the community; they carried out the attack between 10am and 2pm. This is the reason why many people have run away from the community.
Where did the people who fled the community run to?
They have run to various places they think are safe. Some are with their relatives while some have gone to internally displaced persons’ camps. So, if you go to the John Mark IDPs’ camp, you will find a lot of them there. Some others are in Abagana camp near Makurdi.
How did you know the people who killed your son are Fulani herdsmen?
We know them by their looks and the way they walk. My children told me that their attackers were seen with a large number of cows.
But reports say some other people from the community also went to get food items, how did those other people escape?
I was told that five persons went to the farm. Immediately they entered the farm, the herdsmen surrounded them. Four of them took off on their bikes, while my late son was running and trekking before the herdsmen shot at him and later used machetes on him.
After the coronavirus outbreak, he called me and said he was coming home to help the family get food from the farm. I never knew he just wanted to show himself to me for the last time. He became a victim just because he wanted to feed me and those he cared for.
What kind of person was he?
He was a kind man. He was a very lovely and caring father. He loved everyone around him. He was peaceful, kind-hearted and generous. He always wanted people around him to be happy.
What will you miss most about him?
I will miss his sincerity and humour. His mother will even miss him more because he was the one who usually went out to look for food for her. He was the one taking care of his mother. His death has dealt our family a heavy blow. It will be very difficult for me to forget him. His mother is very sick and can no longer go out to look for food or engage in farming, he was the one helping out. Only God knows how his mother will cope.
He was an educated farmer. But the herdsmen did not allow him to fulfil his dreams. He wanted to be a teacher, which was the reason why he went to the college of education in Naka.
How many wives and children did he have?
He had two wives and two children. His wives and children were fond of him; they will miss him so much.
What came to your mind when you heard about his death?
I was very shocked when I heard about my son’s death. In fact, the shock brought me down to the extent that I was taken to hospital and admitted for four days. Up till now, I’m still in shock. I could not believe someone who quickly went to the farm to get food for me was dead. It is only God that can console me and his mother.
What steps have the family and community taken to get justice for him?
In my family, there is no strong person there to fight, speak and stand up for us so that my son can get justice. As for the community, we have done a lot to seek justice over the incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen. We have written collectively to draw the attention of the government and security agencies to the area but nothing has been done to end the attacks.
Immediately I heard that my son was killed, I went to the chief in my area, who drew the attention of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and OPWS (soldiers) to it.
What reactions have you got from the authorities?
When the incident happened, we went to police to report and our statement was taken. Since then, nothing has been done. The police have not said anything about the matter. We are still waiting for those concerned to respond.
Before the incident, it was reported that two persons were also beheaded in Benue (Agatu Local Government Area), why do you think the problem has taken such a dangerous dimension?
I don’t know why these herdsmen keep on attacking and invading communities in Benue State. I don’t know why they are killing us and destroying our farmland. Each time we think the problem is over; they come back and start killing again. I think the herdsmen have an agenda they want to carry out in Benue State. This is not all about grazing because when they bring their cattle, we don’t stop them. But when they see any farmer, they attack them, whether on the farm, on the road or in church. I think their intention is to capture the entire Guma and Benue communities and Islamise us but God will not allow it.
They are after our land; they are after our blood and want to wipe us out so that they can take over our land. It is not all about grazing because if it were so, they wouldn’t be killing people without provocation.
What do you think is the solution to the crisis?
Government should quickly build access roads to the affected areas and deploy security agents there to prevent herders from attacking us.
How did Titus’ wives and children take the news of his death?
His wives and children burst into tears. The two wives were shocked and devastated.
What do you want the government to do?
Yes, government should come to my aid. I have been devastated by the death of my son. I need food and other materials for the upkeep of those he left behind. Again, we are farmers so I will be grateful if government could provide farm implements for us.
Are people still going to farm?
There is no road to the area. Fulani herdsmen have blocked all the routes and now occupy the entire community. They are feeding our seedlings to their cattle.
How many times have herdsmen attacked your community?
More than three times and each time they come, it is usually bad for us.
How many people have been killed by herdsmen in your family?
This is the second person so far but I pray that none of my family members will be killed by herdsmen again.
Are you aware of the anti-open grazing law enacted by the Benue State Government?
Yes, I am fully aware of it.
Do you think the law has helped to reduce the conflict between herdsmen and farmers in the state?
No, it has not. In fact, the crisis is even worse than before. The law has escalated the conflict. To me, I have not seen the usefulness of the law because farmers are no longer going to farm. Many people have been rendered homeless and their properties destroyed. Many communities in the state have been deserted, destroyed and the farm crops are being fed cows while thousands of people have also lost their lives in the course of the crisis.
If I had my way, I would say that the anti-open grazing law should be repealed or relaxed. Maybe with open grazing, we will not experience wanton killings and destruction of property again. Punch
