Miyetti Allah Laments Alleged Death Of Four Herders, 108 Cows In Anambra

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has cried out for justice over the alleged killing of its members and 108 cows in Ifite-Ogwari, Ayamelum Council of Anambra State between December 20, 2019 and January 27, 2020.

South East Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, who disclosed this to The Guardian, yesterday in his office at Garriki Market, Amansea, Awka North Council, gave the name of the herder allegedly killed in December 2019 as Hasan Mobali (35), and those killed this year as Hassan Rabiu (35) Abdullahi Rahman (31) and Bahabu Ilu (38).

He said that the association had recovered the body of Rabiu, while youths in the area allegedly prevented the recovery of the corpses of Abdullahi and Ilu, which were purportedly thrown into Omambala River.

While speaking in company of 91-year-old Abdullahi Ahmadu, the father of Rahman, and Kawejo Musa, the guardian of Rabiu and Ilu, the MACBAN chairman said his association had written letters to Governor Willie Obiano and Commissioner of Police, John Abang, among others for intervention.He called on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to book to serve as deterrent.

The MACBAN leader observed that his association was not pressing for compensation, which could amount to about N37.5 million as agreed with a committee set up with the state government, if the attack was a mistake, stressing that the alleged killing of four herdsmen could not be described as a mistake.

Meanwhile, the House of Assembly Speaker, Uche Okafor, had intervened in the matter, which took place in his constituency and called for calm.

At a meeting with MACBAN, Okafor frowned on such killings and called for restraint on both sides. Besodes, Siddiki lamented the discrimination against his members who wander in search of grass to feed their cattle.In particular, he frowned on the order issued by leaders and elders of Anaku, a neighbouring community to Ifite-Ogwari, to deny Fulani herders water.

guardian.ng