Family Petitions CDS, COAS Over Alleged Seizure of 700 Cows, Others

9th May 2024

The Fulani Waziri family of Rafin Sarki village in Fatika District of Giwa Local Area of Kaduna State has accused some soldiers of unlawfully seizing 518 cows and 177 sheep and rams on March 9.

The family, in a petition, urged army authorities to order the detachment of soldiers deployed to Fatika to return the animals and stop the sale of farmlands.

It also called for full investigation into activities of the soldiers in the community, accusing them of killing 12 members of the family without provocation.

The family listed those allegedly killed by the soldiers as Nura Abdussalam, Adamu Abdulkarim, Yusuf Haruna, Buhari Haruna, Kabiru Haruna, Hussaini Haruna, Zinatu Bello, Haruna Idris, Waziri, Rayyanu Shuaibu, Alhaji Abdulkarim and Salisu Abdulkarim.

The family’s complaint was contained in a petition to the National Security Adviser, dated April 12, 2024, and signed by its lawyer, Bello Ibrahim.

The petition was also addressed to the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Director DSS, Governor of Kaduna State, and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1Division, Nigerian Army, under whose area of responsibility the incidents allegedly occurred.

In the petition, the family requested return of the animals, payment of compensation and protection from further harassment, intimidation, and violation of human rights.

It said that the ordeal began on December 3, 2022, when some suspected military personnel went to the village and killed 10 members of the family without justification.

The family added that the alleged attack was led by one Sgt Usman, posted to the village from Basawa Barracks, Zaria, and locally known by the villagers as Bagobiri because of his tribal marks.

When contacted on the matter, the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said full investigation had commenced.

“Reference your inquiry. Information available to me is that investigation into the allegation is currently ongoing. The personnel involved have been taken into custody and investigation has commenced, and we should await the outcome,” he said.