Suspected Fulani herdsmen at the weekend invaded three communities in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State, killing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Vunokilang Police Station and 62 others.
More than 200 gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked the towns in the early hours of Sunday, killing people. The DPO, the late CSP Okozie Okereafor, was transferred from Okigwe in Imo State and had just spent two months in the command. According to a community leader, P.P. Elisha, the DPO led his men into the communities to quell crises, but his vehicle was surrounded and was killed.
The bodies of the police officer and others have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola. Confirming the killings, police spokesman Othman Abubakar said the DPO and his men were attacked on official duty by suspected Fulani herdsmen. He added that reports indicated that the attackers looted the villagers’ foodstuff and livestock before setting their homes ablaze.