The Plateau State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected herders who burned a hectare of maize and potato farm in a community in the state’s Bokkos Local Government Area.

A video alleged to have been filmed by Nigerian Army personnel has surfaced on social media, showing the field with tender maize and potatoes. According to X (previously Twitter) user Gideon Para-Mallam @gparamallam, the devastated farm is located in Chikam village in the local government region.

Some military officers shown on video inspecting the farm and looking for the criminals mourned the destruction. They made no indication of the farm’s location or when the incident occurred, but Para-Mallam stated that it occurred on Tuesday.

When contacted, the Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, who confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters on the phone said the command had deployed its personnel to the scene of the incident.

The police spokesperson said investigation was ongoing and that the command had launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.

“Yes, we are aware. Our men are already there. The command has commenced investigation into the matter. It is a criminal offence and that is why investigation is going on,” Alabo said.

This comes a few months after gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in April went on a rampage in Plateau State University in the Bokkos Local Government Area and killed several people.

Also in April, gunmen in two separate attacks in Mandung-Mushu and Kopnanle villages in Bokkos and Mangu local government areas of the state killed at least 10 people and injured several others.

SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS