PH
Several people are reportedly missing after a face-off between Delta state police and suspected Fulani herdsmen dressed allegedly dressed in police uniform on Monday, February 6.
The herdsmen allegedly armed with AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapon reportedly engaged a team of policemen in a gun battle, leaving several policemen including the Area commander injured, while some are still missing.
The police team, including officers of the Dragon, Quick Response Squad, QRS and Ughelli Area Command patrol team, led by the Area Commander, Ughelli, had reportedly stormed Orhorho community and surroundings in Ughelli North local government area of the state after allegation of sexual molestation and attacks by the herdsmen were reported by the villagers. The aim of the police team numbering up to 60 was to drive out the herdsmen from their hideouts.
According to Vanguard’s report, Delta state police commissioner, Mr Zanna Ibrahim, denied that any policeman was injured or wounded in the altercation.
“What happened was that the policemen were fatigued. They entered the terrain they were not used to and some of them collapsed out of fatigue.”
The commissioner insisted that the area commander and other team member who battled the herdsmen were exhausted rather than injured.
According to an anonymous source of Vanguard, the police officers were ambushed by the herdsmen, who he said opened fire on them, as they were approaching the community.
The association said in crisis between herdsmen and farmers; the herdsmen are not just culprits but also victims of attacks.
The national secretary of MACBAN Othman Ngelzarma called on the Nigerian media to balance its report of the farmers/herdsmen crisis across Nigeria.
