By Ahmad Umar,
Gombe (Nigeria)– The Adamawa State Police Command, northeast of the country has confirmed an attack on Fulani settlements allegedly carried out by Bachama Militias in Numan Local Government Area on Monday, leading to several loss of lives
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Othman Abubakar who confirmed the incident on Tuesday, said that 30 people were killed and that investigations have commenced to arrest the suspects.
“We have been told the attackers hailed from the affected areas and already investigations have since commenced to fish out all those involved,’’ he added.
READ ALSO: Nigeria suicide bombing kills 50 in Adamawa state
One of the residents of the settlement who escaped the attacks, Oriwa Hammadu however said 45 women and children were killed by the attackers adding that the Bachama militias singing war songs had on Monday evening launched attacks at the fulani settlements in Shafaran, Shawal, Gumara, Kikam and Kadamti villages which are predominantly Bachama areas.
“The attacks came when all the men were out of the areas, many had gone to market and wedding ceremony in Mayo-Belwa, so it took us by surprise.
“I was on my way back from Numan town market, when I saw smokes billowing out from our settlements, and minutes later I saw some Bachama Militias coming to our settlements.
“So, I had to sneak to save my life, but they killed our children, women and burnt houses they came with dangerous weapons chanting war song in Bachama dialect with machetes, daggers and Dane guns.
“Both the injured and the corpses were evacuated to Numan General Hospital,’’ said Oriwa Hammadu, a fleeing resident.
Speaking shortly after the funeral of those killed, the North East chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Mafindi Danburam said over 60 people were earlier declared missing but later 45 were found killed by the attackers .
“We have just observed the funeral rites of 45 bodies of women and children here in Numan we are still searching for remaining missing people, we want government to as matter of urgency swing into action by investigating those involved so as to avoid a reprisal.
Danburam alleged that the attackers were some Bachama youths in the area who had been threatening the herdsmen to vacate the area.
“Build up to this attack, the district head of Numan had summoned all the Fulani leaders and ordered them to leave their domains, he even threatened that there will be attack. And all pleads by the Fulani heads to no avail,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Martins Babale has visited the area and called for calm.
Babale condemned the incident and that government would do all it could, to fish out the culprits.
