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The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has lashed out at indigenous security outfits in the South-East accusing them of masterminding the killings of their members in the zone.
MACBAN maintained that it is a legitimate pastoralist organization engaged in the lawful tending of cattle across Nigeria, but that they have unfortunately been misconceived as criminals, denying that the allegation against them is not true.
The group expressed deep concern over the violence against their members and livestock, as well as unfounded accusations in certain areas of the South-East.
Gidado Siddiki who is the MACBAN’s National Deputy Director-General, while addressing newsmen in the company of its members in Enugu, on Friday, said in the past two months, they have mourned the loss of 16 individuals and hundreds of cattle in Anambra and Enugu States.
Siddiki stressed that it was distressing to note that some of the perpetrators were observed wearing uniforms resembling those of forest guards, and urged authorities to investigate these incidents thoroughly and bring the culprits to justice.
Read Also: Our Members Held In Anambra Without Trial — Miyetti Allah
“Regrettably, we have consistently found ourselves targeted by criminal elements and at the same time, unfairly blamed for criminal acts we have no involvement in.
“Our markets have been indiscriminately destroyed under the guise of rooting out criminality, yet no evidence of wrongdoing has been found. Even in the remote areas where we graze our cattle, we face increasing threats from criminals without due response from the government or local leadership.
“We appeal to the government of the South East and the leaders of our host communities to recognise us as strategic stakeholders and refrain from unfounded attribution of wrongdoing to every herdsman out there.
We implore them to support us in times of need and instruct their security forces to discern between genuine pastoralists and criminal elements masquerading as such.
