Ban open grazing, block access to weapons,stop terrorism, group tells Tinubu

Twenty-four identified members of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) have reportedly been killed in a herdsmen attack in Karim-Lamido Local Council of Taraba state.

Also, eight persons lost their lives in fresh attacks on communities in Bokkos Local Council of Plateau State. The Guardian gathered that the victims included a pastor and seven natives, who were killed by suspected herders.

Following the attacks, the Director, Human Security and Intelligence Awareness Committee (HUSIAC), Awe, Oyo State, Angel Folorunso, called on President Bola Tinubu to ban open grazing outright, block easy access to weapons in Nigeria and take other critical decisions to root out terrorism from the country.

In a release yesterdayin Jalingo, the Resident Bishop, UMCN Episcopal Area and Mission Districts of Senegal and Cameroon, Emmanuel Ande, noted that “violence only breeds more pain” and suffering.

He added: “The senseless conflict between the indigenous farmers and Fulaniherdsmen in these areas has resulted in the brutal killing of over 30 persons, among them, 24 identified members of UMCN.”

In addition to the fatality, the bishop disclosed, more than 62 homes have been burned down and over 5,000 individuals displaced, leaving behind a trail of grief, pain and despair.

While calling on the state and Federal Government to be intentional and proactive in their responsibility to protect lives and property, especially those in the vulnerable communities of Karim Lamido, he suggested immediate and sustained efforts to restore peace and security in the areas, and closure for the displaced.

The bishop also announced that the church’s relief committee was already working with the District Superintendents of Munga Lelau, Karim and Munga Dosso of UMCN to provide support for victims and their families.  

ON the Plateau attack, the Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Kefas Mallai confirmed the killings to newsmen in Jos,yesterday, saying the attacks began on Sunday, May 25, 2025, when Mimang Lekyil, a pastor of COCIN LCC Kwakas-Mushere, was killed in the pastorium.

The pastor’s wife, he added, was shot in the leg and is receiving treatment at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). According to him, the situation escalated on Monday, when native youths, who were angered by attacks, reportedly razed Fulani structures in the same Kwakas area where the pastor was killed.

However, security personnel intervened and brought the situation under control.
Kefas further stated that around 9 p.m., the herders’ militia mobilised themselves and attacked the neighbouring Mbor community of Mushere and killed seven natives.

Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, said the situation was under control, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, had deployed security operatives to maintain law and order in the affected communities.

MEANWHILE, Folorunsho, in a statement made available to The Guardian, asserted that one of the challenges of security in Nigeria was the easy access to weapons by non-state actors. 

He said: ‘’The security forces had engaged terrorists on their own and by forming a global alliance with some West African countries.  However, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, claimed that no fewer than 13,500 terrorists had been killed under the Bola Tinubu government. He would see that as a plus in fighting terror. In contrast, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, the breeding ground of the Boko Haram terror group, recently called on the Federal Government to help, so that Marte would not fall into the hands of terrorists.

‘’Ban open grazing outright in Nigeria; it’s a veritable tool of terrorism spike. Block easy access to weapons in Nigeria, compel the herdsmen carrying automatic weapons to submit them, and give them incentives, scrap the policy of one nation, two laws in Nigeria, set up a peace corps to engage in peace building nationwide, and form a Border Security and Intelligence Agency. Leave not our border in the hands of Immigration in the Age of Terror.”