By Muhammad Tanko Shittu
Jos
The Plateau state chapter of Miyyety Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has called on the Federal and Plateau state governments to ensure safety of the lives and properties of Fulani herders in the state.
The body made the call in a press statement signed by its chairman, Muhammad Nuru, yesterday in Jos, alleging the killing of 70-year old, Adamu Abdulmumini.
“There have been rampant cases of killing of herdsmen in Plateau, and that shows that there is an execution of a plan that led to a tactical attacks and killings of herdsmen in the state, our analysis shows that over ten (10) innocent Fulani herdsmen were secretly attack and killed in different areas of the state in October 2017,” Abdulmumini said.
According to him, reports reaching his office from their branches across the state, showed that the attacks and killings were carried out by some “disgruntled elements and terrorist groups that don’t want peace and unity to be enjoyed in the state.”
He said on 4th of October, 2017, Salihu Bello and Mairo Halilu, who were passersby, were attack and killed in Dorowa village of Barkin Ladi LGA by “Berom hoodlums,” and that, “no arrest was made.”
It added that: “On 3rd November, 2017 in Mangu LGA, Alh Adamu Abdulmumini, an aged man of over seventy (70) years old, was attacked and matcheted to death in Changal village of Pushet district of the LGA without any justification.”
The herders alleged that while in some instances arrests of suspects were made but latter on released by the Police at will, in some instances no arrests were made and no investigation were made.
“Therefore, the unprovoked attacks on the herdsmen across the state is a clear indication that no part of Plateau state is safe and free of the attacks. It is, therefore, on account of the unabated killings that we are calling on the government and security agencies to take an immediate action to curb the attacks by putting all measures on ground to ensure the arrest of the killers and their subsequent prosecution to serve as deterrent to others,” it pleaded.
