The Nasarawa state police command has arrested 11 suspects confirmed to be Tiv and Fulani extractions for burning deserted homes.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Idrissu John Kennedy, disclosed this to Channels Television while parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Lafia.
“In the case of burning deserted houses, it is appalling to note that some of the suspects arrested in connection with these offences are of the same tribal extraction with their victims.
“For instance on the 11/02/18 one Nicholas Alua and three others, all Tivs by tribe took advantage of the crisis situation, criminally conspired and went to Farin Ruwa I village in Obi LGA set on fire three thatched houses belonging to their Tiv kinsmen. Unfortunately, luck ran out of them and they were arrested in the act”
“In the related development on the same 11th February, 2018 one Ijakeni Uhon of Gidan Nguiyi , a Tiv man was also arrested for setting fire on twenty five(25) houses belonging to some TIV’s at Gidan Wakili while on 28/01/2018 one Dennis Utsa of Kadarko, a Tiv man and threw others conspired and set ablaze the house of Edward Alima of the same address, a fellow Tiv man”
“On 5/02/18 one Bagu Anaruwa and Rabo Anaruwa both of Obi LGA and Fulanis by tribe were arrested for criminally conspiring and burning down fifteen (15) houses belonging to some tin men in Kuduku II village of Keana LGA”, he said
Also paraded were a gang of three nabbed in Mararraba axis of the state who engage in the making and selling of counterfeit currencies to unsuspecting victims.
He said that investigations are on for some of the suspects while some are in their custody and would soon be charged to court.
He added that the command is working tirelessly to restore calm at the border communities.
“Since this crisis at our border communities started we have been working round the clock to normalcy returns. I want to assure you that we are determined to achieve this feat and we will continue engaging both sides through alternative conflict resolution method with a view that warring sides will hearken to the voice of reason and embrace peace.
“We sincerely appeal to all to sheath their swords for normalcy to fully return to our communities particularly now that we are approaching another farming season for the mutual benefit of all in the state”
CHANNELS
