A Fulani youth leader in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Umar Yusuf, has accused security operatives of conniving with local militia gangs to kill herders, steal their cows and extort money from them to release the livestock.

Yusuf, who made the allegations during a town hall meeting convened by the Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association of Nigeria (KPFAN) on Saturday, said operatives of security agencies in the council go on raids alongside local Irigwe youths, where they allegedly attack innocent herders, kill them and rustle their cattle.

While speaking during the meeting, Yusuf said the practice has been going on for years and has worsened in recent times.

“What has been happening in Bassa and other parts of Plateau State is a very worrisome situation.

“You will be surprised to hear that security personnel connive with local Irigwe militants to attack Fulani herdsmen during raids on Fulani communities,” he said.

He further alleged that during such raids, some of which result in casualties, cows are seized from the communities, while the owners are later forced to pay huge sums of money to recover them.

“Our cattle are seized and stolen from us and taken to a military camp for days, weeks and sometimes months without an iota of reason for farm encroachment whatsoever.

“We will then have to pay huge sums of money to get them back from the security people. We, the Fulani herders, face severe economic hardship as a result of this. We deserve protection as much as others,” Yusuf said.

He also alleged that on July 30, some Fulani herders were attacked by armed Irigwe youths alongside some security personnel. According to him, six cows were killed and several others severely injured in what he described as an unprovoked attack at Ancha village in the local government area. He further claimed that a herdsman, identified as Muhammadu Rebo, was killed while peacefully grazing his cattle without encroaching on any farmland.