A 12-year-old pastoralist, Muhammad Muhammad, has lost his two hands following an alleged attack by farmers in Mayaki village in Lapai Local Council of Niger State....CONTINUE READING
The boy was allegedly attacked when he went out on grazing with cattle at Kpashimi forest on November 8, but the cattle returned home without him.
Spokesperson for the state police command, Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the incident, said a cattle owner from Mayaki village reported the case at Lapai Division on November 9.
Abiodun said the cattle owner went in search of the boy with his brother and found him on the ground with his two hands cut off beside a farm around the said forest.
He added that police operatives attached to Lapai Division immediately rushed to the scene, and rescued the boy to Lapai General Hospital for medical attention.
According to him, one Jafaru Yunusa of Kpashimi village, a farmer around the forest, has been arrested in connection with the crime, while two others are presently at large.
He said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other suspects.
Meanwhile, the National President, Miyetti-Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, has called on the Niger State government, and the police to investigate the attack.
Bodejo, who visited the victim at the General Hospital, Lapai, expressed displeasure over the attack on the innocent boy.
He stressed the need for law enforcement agents, especially the state Police Command to bring those involved to justice.
“The attackers of this under-age boy had a hidden motive. It is quite unfortunate that the innocent boy could be attacked for no reason,” he said.
Bodejo, who lauded the police for their swift intervention, emphasised the need for the scrutiny of local vigilante groups to ascertain the genuine ones.
He said members of the association would continue to respect constituted authorities at all levels.
Also, the state’s Commissioner Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs, Umar Sanda Rebe has vowed to punish those behind the attack and amputation of the boy’s hands.
He said the attackers were wicked by taking laws into their hands.
The Commissioner reiterated that administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago would continue to provide an enabling environment for the people to operate irrespective of ethnic and religious differences.
