The head of cattle herders in the Mahanga community of Jol district in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, Ardo Mahmud Adam, has denied allegations that they harbour terrorists and bandits who carry out attacks in the communities.

The accusations, they say, are unfounded and aimed at tarnishing their image.

Farming communities in Riyom, particularly, the Berom ethnic group, have repeatedly accused Fulani herders in Mahanga of sheltering armed groups responsible for attacks in the area.

Ardo Adam who vehemently denied the allegations during a visit by the fact-finding committee set up by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, dismissed the allegations, saying that on the contrary, the natives are the aggressors who instigate such attacks by rustling Fulani cows and launching attacks on herders.

While addressing the committee led by Maj. Gen. Nickolas Rogers (retd.), Ardo Adam said in the last two months, Fulani herders have lost over 100 cattle to gunmen, accusing the Berom natives of orchestrating the raids.

“We are humble herders who go about our business of rearing our cattle without looking for anyone’s trouble,” Adamu said.

“But I can tell you that the attacks are orchestrated by the Berom people who attack our people and rustle their cows.

“Security operatives of Operation Safe Haven have been stationed in Mahanga for years. If there were terrorists here, wouldn’t they have been arrested?” he asked.

Adam stressed that recurring crises in other parts of the state are wrongly blamed on herders.

“Whenever violence erupts in Mangu, Bokkos or Bassa, we are accused without evidence. No attacker has ever been traced back to Mahanga.

“These gunmen frequently shoot at our people and their cattle, making it increasingly difficult for our people to graze in peace.

“We can no longer rear cattle safely. Does being Fulani mean we don’t have the right to graze?

“We are often accused without evidence, and denied our rights. Social media is used to label us as terrorists,” he stated.

Super Falcons head coach, Justine Madugu says his team is focused on their opening fixture against Tunisia at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, OSUNDAILY NG reports.

The West Africans will begin their quest for a 10th title against the Tunisians in Casablanca on Sunday.

The nine-time champions are in buoyant mood heading into competition having defeated eternal rivals Black Queens of Ghana 3-1 in a friendly on Sunday.

They have tasted defeat just once in their last five outings.

Madugu stated that they are focused on the task ahead.

“We are very focused on our realisable and achievable target of Mission X. The girls are ready and are showing real hunger for victory and team spirit is high. We are looking forward to our first match on Sunday against Tunisia,” the gaffer told thenff.com.

The encounter against Tunisia will kick-off at 5:00 pm Nigeria time.

Algeria and Botswana will clash in the other Group B game same day.

Each Real Madrid player will receive a bonus of €1 million if they win the Club World Cup, Diario AS reports.

Real Madrid are currently in the quarter-final of the ongoing Club World Cup in the US.

The Los Blancos had eliminated Juventus from the Round of 16 stage a few days ago.

Xabi Alonso’s side will face Borussia Dortmund in the last-8 this weekend for a place in the semi-final.

Recall that Dortmund defeated Monterrey 2-1 in their last-16 encounter.

The kick-off time for the Real Madrid vs Dortmund match is 9:00 pm Nigerian time.