The Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has warned against attributing the killing of the Deputy Commander of Operation Rainbow, CSP Dennis David Babale, to Fulani people without credible evidence.

This was just as MACBAN condemned the killing of the senior police officer, who was ambushed by gunmen in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Tuesday.

Politics Nigeria recalls that Babale was attacked at about 4:06 p.m. while travelling in a Toyota Hilux along the Bokkos-Barkin Ladi road.

According to reports, the security personnel came under fire from unidentified gunmen while responding to a distress call.

Troops of Sector 4, Operation Enduring Peace, subsequently moved to the scene following the distress report.

Babale sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and was evacuated to the General Hospital, Barkin Ladi, where he later died from his injuries.

The Plateau State Police Command also confirmed the incident, saying a Chief Superintendent of Police attached to Operation Rainbow was killed in an ambush along Gagshi Road between Barkin Ladi and Bokkos.

Police spokesman in the state, Alfred Alabo, said investigations were ongoing to identify those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.

Security personnel subsequently launched operations and a manhunt for the attackers in the area.

The incident occurred amid renewed security concerns in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas.

In a statement issued on Thursday, MACBAN Plateau State Chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, said the killing of the police commander showed that the wave of violence in the state should no longer be treated with kid gloves.

The association called on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to end the recurring violence.

MACBAN also extended its condolences to the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, the families of the deceased and others affected by the attack.

The group, however, strongly cautioned against what it described as the premature attribution of violent incidents in Plateau State to the Fulani community.

MACBAN said no credible security agency had established that Fulani people were responsible for the attack on Babale.

“We are, however, deeply concerned by the growing trend of attributing every violent incident in Plateau State to the Fulani community without credible evidence or the outcome of any official investigation,” the statement said.

According to the association, such allegations could inflame tensions and undermine efforts by security agencies to identify and prosecute the actual perpetrators.

It warned individuals and groups against making inflammatory statements or spreading unverified claims that collectively blame the Fulani community for security incidents.

“Criminals should be treated as individuals, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. No community should be condemned without credible evidence,” MACBAN said.

The association urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the killings and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.

MACBAN said the continuous loss of innocent lives was unacceptable, stressing that no community benefits from violence.

It called for justice, dialogue and respect for the rule of law as part of efforts to restore lasting peace in Plateau State.

The association also urged its members to continue abiding by the law and called on all stakeholders to reject hate, misinformation and collective blame.