The Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has alleged that about 18 cows belonging to their members were shot dead in the Howl community of Bokkos Local Government Area of the state in the last week.
According to Daily Post, the State Chairman of MACBAN, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, who made the allegations in a statement on Monday, also said at least 130 cattle were rustled during the same period by natives at different locations across the state.
In the statement, Babayo said the cattle were rustled on Wednesday, July 30th, and their whereabouts have remained unknown. He stated, “Since Wednesday, July 30, we have been searching for the whereabouts of the cattle. The gunmen rustled 130 cattle and killed 18 others.”
The MACBAN chairman disclosed that the incident had been reported to security agencies in the state but expressed frustration over their reluctance to respond to their concerns. Babayo also accused members of the Ron ethnic group, who make up a majority of the tribe in the council, of being behind the rustling and killing of the cattle.
However, in a swift reaction, the Secretary of the Ron Kulere Jos and Environs, Barr. John Apollos Maton, denied the allegations, describing them as an excuse to perpetrate genocide. In a rebuttal statement, Maton said the claims were a figment of the imagination of the Fulani group, aimed at diverting attention from their own violent acts in the council and other parts of Plateau State.
Maton noted that it has been MACBAN’s trademark to make such spurious allegations to justify attacks on communities by Fulani militias. He urged security and intelligence agencies to remain vigilant and guard against potential attacks.
