By Desire Emmanuel
A Fulani herdsman who stabbed a forest guard that resulted in his death during an altercation has been killed by a mob in retaliation at a community in Taraba State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 14, at Mararaban Kunini, Lau Local Government Area of the state. It led to the death of the forest guard, Jerry Jimmy, and the herdsman, Ya’u Jaro Saidu.
It was gathered that the forest guard, while on duty, arrested the herdsman over an undisclosed offence and in the course of the arrest, an altercation ensued between them.
During the altercation, the herdsman, who was armed with a knife concealed in his pocket, used it to stab the forest guard on the chest. He sustained fatal injuries that subsequently led to his death.
Following the man’s death, a mob in the area attacked the herdsman and killed him in retaliation.
Due to the killings and as tension was building up, a distress call was made to the state police command. The Commissioner of Police visited the scene and held a brief meeting with leaders of the Fulani and Jenjo communities in the area.
During the engagement, the CP admonished all parties to eschew violence, avoid taking the law into their hands, and embrace peaceful coexistence.
According to a statement by the command on Tuesday, the community leaders, in their responses, pledged to maintain peace and live together in harmony, assuring the command of their cooperation in maintaining law and order.
The Commissioner of Police has also directed a full-scale investigation into the incident, with a view to identifying and apprehending all those involved in the subsequent mob act.
