MIYETTI Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said it lost over 200 pastoralists, with more than 40 settlements burnt in Plateau State.
National President, Othman Ngelzarma, said this in a statement yesterday while reacting to a submission credited to Mwaghavul Development Association, which said MACBAN should be held responsible for killings in the state.
Ngelzarma noted the stigmatization of pastoralists as not being indigenes in these areas making them targets of attack.
These attacks, he said, have left the poor and vulnerable traumatized and targets of hate.
He called on the Federal Government to disband the state-operated security outfit and prosecute perpetrators and other actors.
“… in the last two months, over 200 pastoralists were killed and more than 40 settlements burnt by members of Plateau State – operated Rainbow security outfit and other militia.
“The stigmatisation of pastoralists as not being indigenes in these areas make them legitimate targets of attack by the state operated Rainbow outfit and militias. These attacks have left the poor and vulnerable traumatised and have become targets of hate.
“We reaffirmed that these pastoralists are bonafide Nigerians and indigenes of Plateau State and deserve the protection of their lives and properties as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria and therefore, no amount of blackmail and intimidation will make them leave their homes.
“As an association, we reaffirm our loyalty to Nigeria and Plateau State.
Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Bashir Makamma, noted the allegation by MACBAN is false and misleading.
“Operation Rainbow is not in position to kill people, we are responsible security outfit on what capacity will they go and kill pastoralists or to burn houses. The information is false and mischievous”, Makamma noted.
