Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has been embroiled in a dispute with the Anambra State Police Command over alleged killing of 21 herders since January 2021.
Newsmen gathered that the Chairman of the group in the Southeast, Gidado Sidikki alleged that four of its members were killed on Saturday by an unknown gunman at Ogboji, Orumba South local government area of Anambra State.
“Hundreds of cows belonging to the deceased are no where to be found, the cattles are missing up till now, ” he added.
He gave the identities of those killed as Hadari Umaru, Hamidu Umaru, Aliu Idris and Hassan idris.
He said the incident took place at Mohammed Idris Herder’s Settlement located at Ogboji, in Orumba South Local Government Area of the state.
He further revealed that 21 herders had been killed from January 2021 till date in Anambra state alone.
“Out of the four killed, the police only recovered one corpse after a complaint was launched while the three others are still missing.”
“Until the recent attacks, members of Miyetti Allah Association had enjoyed cordial relationships with their host communities in the South East.”
“The Fulani people in the South-East are not violent and we are not here to undermine the business of the people of the area. We are here to transact business and not to foment trouble.”
“And I have been taking records of any herder that came into the South East zone as a way of checkmating them and their activities.”
“My members are law-abiding people under my watch. So I am surprised why they should be killed unjustly like that”, Sedikki queried.
He appealed to the police as well as Traditional Rulers in the community to take action and ward off attacks on its members.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, CSP Mohammed Haruna, confirmed the incident, stressing that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Kuryas has already directed the police to launch a full scale investigation into the killings.
He said, “The CP has ordered full scale investigation into the latest attack on herders in Orumba South and the perpetrators, when arrested, will be brought to justice.”
The Command assures all and sundry of the renewed commitment of the police in securing lives and properties of all living in Anambra State.