- Miyetti Allah said herdsmen killed 120
people in Plateau because 300 cows were
killed
- The association while condemning the
attacks urged the security agencies to be
fair to all parties
- They also claimed that those who carried
out the attacks must be on revenge mission
Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association
of Nigeria (MACBAN) has given reasons
why herdsmen attacked mourners in
Plateau state, killing over 120 people
and causing serious injuries to
hundreds others.
The chairman, north central zone of the
organisation, Danladi Ciroma, who
condemned the attacks, however,
claimed the people were killed in
retaliation to the killings of about 300
cows belonging to the herdsmen, The
Nation reports.
He said: “ These attacks are retaliatory.
As much as I don’t support the killing of
human being, the truth must be told that
those who carried out the attacks must
be on revenge mission.
“There have been recent reports of cow
rustling and destruction of farms
between Berom farmers and Fulani
herdsmen. The people carrying out these
criminal activities are well known to the
communities but the communities are
hiding them.
“Fulani herdsmen have lost about 300
cows in the last few weeks – 94 cows
were rustled by armed Berom youths in
Fan village, another 36 cows were killed
by Berom youths. In addition to that,
174 cattle were rustled and the criminals
disappeared with them to Mangu.
“Since these cows were not found, no one
should expect peace in the areas. Even
soldiers that went after the criminals to
recover the rustled cows were shot by
the armed rustlers and eventually
escaped with all the cows."
Ciroma said the state governor, Lalong,
has done a lot to restore peace in the
area but the criminal elements hiding
among their people are frustrating these
peace efforts. He added that security
agencies have tried, but they need to do
more by being fair to all parties.
"They should not neglect any report
presented by Fulani of Berom because
such report can lead to attacks and
deaths if not properly handled.
Criminals
thrive a lot in Berom communities, but
when the Fulani, who are always victims
of their crime, react with attacks, they
blame the government.
“These communities have leaders, why
hide the criminals? They should fish out
the criminals and hand them over to
security agencies to avoid death of
innocent ones.
“As it is today, the Berom man cannot go
to farm, the Fulani cannot breed his
cows in Berom land. This can be stopped
if the security agencies do more than
what they are currently doing. The
attacks will stop as soon as the security
agencies stop Berom youths from
stealing Fulani cows," he added.
Meanwhile, report has that
120 people were killed in an attack by
armed men in Plateau state on
Saturday, June 23.
The pastor in charge of Church of Christ
In Nations (COCIN) Regional Church
Council (RCC) Rop in Barkin Ladi local
government area made this claim.
The cleric said the people were
returning from a funeral service when
they were attacked by suspected
herdsmen.
National Day of Mourning for Victims of
Violent Killings Across Nigeria
