The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) has alleged that soldiers Friday attacked and burnt about 37 Fulani settlements in Ganawuri district in Riyom local government area of Plateau State, carting away 137 cows and 60 sheep belonging to them.
Also, the Chief Imam of Al-Furqan Central Mosque in Kano, Dr. Bashir Omar has urged the Federal Government to investigate the killings of innocent Fulani herders in Nasarawa State. The investigation, he said, was necessary in order to take measures to prevent future reoccurrence.
Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeder Association (MACBAN) in Plateau State, Alhaji Haruna Boro Hussaini, who levelled the allegation against the soldiers Friday evening, added that the soldiers were attempting to replicate the unfortunate incident that led to the death of their kinsmen in Keana of Nasarawa State.
“The soldiers came early this morning (yesterday) unannounced and started burning our homes, we don’t know what they were looking for or why they were attacking us but thank God no one was killed. We heard that they also attacked some Berom homes in Ganawuri and that one person lost his life in the process.
“The Fulani in the areas affected were presently scattered, with many taking refuge with relatives in other communities.”
But the Special Task Force (STF) Media and Information Officer in the state, Captain Ikedichi Iweha said there have been ongoing operations around Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue and Kaduna States aimed at flushing out militia groups and people who are not authorised to bear arms.
“The operation is ongoing in these areas that I have mentioned, but no soldier has burnt any settlement and no cow was carted away by any soldier. I am also not aware that any local was killed, because the operation is only targeted at militia groups,” said Iweha.
Husseini said that “we the members of MACBAN have met on this issue and we have resolved to see the Special Task Force (STF) Commander, Major General David Eniete on Saturday (today).”
