President Muhammadu Buhari made a surprise visit to Taraba State as part of his tour of states which included Benue, Yobe, Zamfara and Rivers. A statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, issued in Abuja on Monday, said the President decided on the visits after reviewing security reports on the incidents.
The presidential aide noted that the unfortunate incidents in the affected states had led to tragic loss of lives and kidnapping of innocent Nigerians, including 110 schoolgirls stolen by Boko Haram on 19 February, in Dapchi, Yobe State. Buhari would visit Mambilla, Taraba state where some people were killed in a communal clash last week.
The President would also embark on a trip to Ghana, to attend the 61st independence anniversary of the country. The President’s visit is not unconnected with the fresh outbreak of ethnic violence on the Mambilla plateau in Sardauna Local Government Area.
At least twenty persons were killed, 12 others injured and 300 cows stolen over the weekend. Reports say the crisis began on Thursday over a land dispute between nomadic Fulani and Mambilla in Yerimaru village and later snowballed into neighbouring villages.
The joint police-military task force in the area has arrested four suspected Fulani militia.
