From Yakubu Busari Jos
IGP Adamu
Some Fulani local community leaders from Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas who have vowed to claim ownership of Plateau land scape, saying they “are going to fulfil the dream of the forefathers,” were on Wednesday arrested by the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force and whisked to Abuja on Thursday for further questioning.
Their arrest came on the heels of the crisis that rocked parts of Bokkos LGA of the state, leading to the death of eleven persons.
The arrest came less than 24 hours after Governor, Simon Bako Lalong ordered the State Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyede to arrest community leaders and Ardos of the affected communities following the killings and destruction of properties around Kwatas and nearby communities of Bokkos LGA.
CP Akinmoyede had ordered the leaders to reconvene at the Police headquarters the following day.
On their arrival at the police headquarters to honour the invitation, the leaders were asked to make individual statements after which some of them were released.
On Thursday, the Ardos from Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu as well as the Chairmen of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Nigeria and some community and youth leaders were reportedly bundled into vehicles and whisked away to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the Police headquarters in Abuja.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ubah Gabriel confirmed the arrest, saying “for every Ardo that was moved to Abuja, an equivalent of the community leader from that area was equally picked and taken to Abuja.”
