By; BUHARI B. BELLO, Jos
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Plateau State has alleged that soldiers have killed five Innocent Fulanis, burned down over 150 houses and set property worth millions of Naira ablaze.
They also alleged that the soldiers opened fire, resulting to death of 46 cows, while they carted away about 400 cows.
“However, for the avoidance of doubt; Baddikko Rogo, Adamu Musa, Salisu Ibrahim, Usman Alh Wada, Babangida Bajjhe and Damina Kiri were brutally killed and their villages of Rafiki, Dutsen Kura, Maraban Dere and Rafin Bauna all Fulani villages were affected and set ablaze“.
According to the statement signed by its state Charman, Muhammed Nura, over 2,764 (Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Four) persons mostly women and children were displaced while others fled for refuge to other neighbouring Fulani villages.
“We are therefore, calling the attention of the National Emergency and Management Agency (NEMA) to directly come to the aid of the displaced Fulani communities.“.
They also added that “we want to warmly put it on record by reflecting the past incidences meted against the Fulani herdsmen from August 2017 when the root cause of Fulani herdsmen and Irigwe started after the execution and beheaded of Abubakar Wada (Fulani) by Irigwe militia group in Dan Tanko village of Bassa Local Government Area.“
They said that on 15th October 2017 six (6) innocent Fulani herdsmen’s children were killed and beheaded in Katumme village of Rukuba Chiefdom of Bassa LGA by Irigwe.
“The defenceless children were killed in cold blood. There was neither arrest of the culprits nor attempyt to investigate into the matter by security agencies.
“On Monday, 15th January, 2018, Irigwe armed militia group attacked Fulani rearers around Gidan Ado village and rustled over 300 cows and 56 sheep. The second two herds of cattle that were rustled have been recovered completely”.
“While from the first two herds cattle of 126 cows, 26 were recovered alive but sold in the market due to major injuries. Seven were recovered healthy, 38 were macheted to death and dumped in a ditch at Mai Yanga village, while the remaining 55 were not recovered and we don’t know their whereabouts till today. For the 56 goats, (45 that belong to Idris Gidado while the remaining belong to Usha’u Usman Wada) were not recovered.
“In the same vein, on 22nd January, 2018 the Irigwe armed militias from Kwachudu village of Bassa LGA attacked Fulani cattle rearers at Raffin Bauna village shot and matcheted 18 cows to death, belonging to the Fulani rearers. A total of five cows were confirmed dead and 13 seriously injured.
“In another incident on 23rd January, 2018 the unfortunate event kept accelerating. The Irigwe armed militias attacked Fulani cattle rearers at Dan Kuturu village from Kwal District in the same Bassa LGA at about 1500 hours killed two; Anas Lado and Musa Idris in cold-blood for no cause. The militias fired at some cows and injured five.
“In Bassa again, On Wednesday 24th January, 2018, the Irigwe militias re-attacked Fulani at Raffin Bauna from Kwachudu village. Apart from firing, Ibrahim Shehu was abducted by the group and found killed, beheaded and dismantled by the marauders, plunders and predators. It is so much sympathetic, pathetic, sorrowful and grievous that human life and property of innocent citizens were on daily bases targeted and destroyed for no reasons.
“On Monday March 05, 2018, Irigwe re-attacked Fulani and killed Abubakar Shehu, Abubakar Gidado and Ishaq Yusuf. They also attacked and killed a total of 38 cows on March 05, 2018, owned by Wada Alh Audu, and 18 to Umaru Ibrahim,” Miyetti Allah alleged.
They further alleged that “Irigwe militias usually cross carpet into Riyom, Jos South and part of Southern Kaduna State to strike. In this particular incident, they operate from Rukwechungu village of Miango District in Bassa LGA into Gero village of Gyel District in Jos South LGA.
“They also beat and wounded Haruna Zakariya, who was admitted for treatment in a near by clinic (Rafin Bauna).“
“They also said that it’s on record that “Irigwe unleashed terror attacks against our innocent cattle rearer in the areas.
“We are therefore, still calling the attention of media houses to always hear both sides of the stories and confirm before publishing. A balanced report will not only make them more professional but quickly reduce if not end the communal clash.
“We appreciate the efforts of all the security agencies especially Operation Safe Haven and Nigeria Police despite some normal challenges from both sides of the key players.“
They called on Government to take measures and stop further occurrence of this ‘tit for tat’ madness.
