Unknown assailants assassinated Adamu Idris Gabdo, a 70-year-old Fulani leader of Panyam District in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Nuru Abdullahi, the state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), confirmed the killing, saying it happened Saturday evening, September 23, 2023, as the deceased was returning from a visit to the district head of Panyam.
The MACBAN chairman blamed Mwaghavul youths in the vicinity for the killing, however, Mwaghavul Development Association representative Mr. Lawrence Kyarshik refuted the accusation.
“I have not heard this until now and I believe our people won’t go to this level of attacking and killing the Ardo (Fulani leader). The allegation is baseless,” Kyarshik said.
Hon Markus Artu, the Chairman of Mangu LGA’s Transition Implementation Committee, also denounced the killing.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Jos on Sunday, the council chairman condemned the death as savage and an act of criminality committed by Plateau enemies opposed to the state’s peace.
Hon. Artu informed the people of Mangu that security forces were on the trail of the perpetrators of the terrible deed and that they would be apprehended and brought to justice.
“The entire Mangu Council authority has distanced itself from the incident. The people of Mangu have since resolved to live in peace with each other, irrespective of tribe or religion and would not allow anyone to come between them,” he said.
“The incident was a deliberate act by hoodlums who are bent on throwing the council area into another round of chaos at a time when relative peace has been achieved and the people are returning to their ancestral homes due to many efforts made by the state government under the leadership of state Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang,” the council chairman added.
While asking the Fulani herders to remain calm, the MACBAN chairman urged security services to ensure the recovery of Ardo’s body.