By Muhammad Tanko Shittu
Jos
The Miyyety Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has lamented the killings of 22 herders, with more than 130 hamlets destroyed in villages within Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Making its position in a signed statement, by the MACBAN State chairman, Muhammad Nuru Abdullah, said the “ugly incident,” first happened around Mushere and Bokkos districts of the LGA, on Sunday.
“What baffled us is that security personnel were leading the operation. This we describe as unacceptable security brutality. The fulani in general are oppressed and stretch beyond elasticity.
“The whole problem started as a result of cattle rustling, where 3 rearers were killed and 181 cows were attempted rustling on 23/12/2023 (Saturday) but it failed. The first 16 dead in Mushu was a result of the attempt to rescue the rustle cows,” he said.
He said the allegations of the people behind the killings in the areas, were untrue and uncalled for.
“We have been hearing, a series of accusations, that the Fulani, were behind the attacks that led to the killings, in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi, which accusation is mere falsehood, and uncalled for. We make bold to say what has been happening is an outright act of criminality by unpatriotic Nigerians who are hell-bent on perpetrating criminality.
“It is worthy of note that, the early morning Sunday, attack by security personnel in collaboration with bandits, on our members was without any little provocation and it’s barbaric,” the herders said.
According to them, on Sunday, 22 of their people were killed, and their houses were also burnt in Makada, Matalem, Momndun, Matol, Tashan maikarfi, Yelwan nono, Fokos, Shoro and Morfet villages, totalling about one hundred and thirty (130) houses burned and demolished.
“This unprovoked act of criminality is condemnable, particularly at a time that we have put behind us incidents of the past to work with government and security agencies to ensure lasting peace in our communities.
All efforts were put in place toward achieving sustainable peace and unity, but yet such dastardly act continued to show its ugly face,” they said.
They added that the entire Fulani Community were thrown into confusion when the incident happened as innocent persons and their properties were targeted while on their lawful activities.
“At this point, we condole the family of the deceased and pray that God grant them eternal rest.
“Finally, we solicit for calmness and no one should take the law into his hands because it won’t resolve the matter. Please allow security to do their work and fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book,” they said.