The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, in Plateau State has accused local gangs it described as “Mangu militias” of killing three herders and 50 cattle in separate attacks in the Aloghom community of Mangu Local Government Area of the state.
The chairman of the organisation in the state, Ibrahim Babayo, who made the allegations in a statement on Sunday, said the incident occurred on Saturday when the gunmen attacked the victims while grazing their cattle in a grazing area without any form of provocation.
According to Babayo, the herders were tending their cattle without straying into any farmland when the gunmen suddenly attacked them, shooting sporadically.
He gave the names of the deceased as Garzali Shaibu, 18; Bashiru Yakubu, 14; and Salim Abubakar, 15.
Describing the attack as brutal and deadly, Babayo alleged that it was part of a deliberate attempt to target Fulani herders and destroy their means of livelihood in Plateau State.
“MACBAN has alerted security agencies, including the Department of State Services and Operation Safe Haven, the military-led security outfit responsible for maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of neighbouring states,” he said.
The MACBAN chairman, however, urged Fulani communities in the state to remain calm and resist any temptation to retaliate.
“I call on all herding communities to remain calm, as security forces have been informed about the situation. Nobody should take the law into their hands.
“We are also calling on all security agencies in the state to investigate those responsible for this incident and ensure justice is done for the victims. This is one too many,” he added.
Plateau MACBAN accuses ‘Mangu militias’ of killing three herders, 50 cows