Cattle breeders under the auspices of Miyetti Allah Cattle breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has declaimed report against it by Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) that the recent mayhem unleashed in Zangon kataf local government of kaduna and its environs were perpetrated by the Fulani pastoralists.
The group frowned the report is misguiding, misleading; a development which they say sparked outrage by some youths in the communities to vet their angers on its members.
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This is according to the chairman of MACBAN, Alh. Haruna Usman Tugga in statement.
Tugga said, “As we are all aware, violent conflicts have been ongoing in many of the villages in Atyap Chiefdom of Zangon Kataf Local Government. Based on the information available to our Association, the trigger for the present round of disturbances emanated from the attack on a family by unknown bandits in Gora Gan village of the Chiefdom on 7th July 2021.
“As is characteristic of the misinformed youths who are indoctrinated to hate the Fulani pastoralists, attack on cattle rearers followed the unfortunate event.
“While security agencies moved swiftly to contain the violence around Gora Gan and adjoining villages, there was mobilization of Atyap youths by some ethnic chauvinists among the Atyap ethnic community and other non-peace loving organizations that resulted in attacks on Fulani settlements throughout the Chiefdom. Within a few days, all the houses of the Fulani in the Chiefdom were burnt by mobs in broad daylight.”
He further described as mischevious accusation by the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union (SOKAPU) to be quick to point fingers at the fulani pastoralists, said they to are not spared by the nefarious activities caused by bandits in the communities.
“It is against this background that we found a Press Statement issued by the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) most surprising.
“We are shocked on the sources of their information, and for retorting to total blackmail against the victims of aggression. People whose households were completely burnt, who scampered to safety leaving behind all possessions could be accused of perpetuating violence.
“We wish to clearly state that the Fulani pastoralists are equal victims of the atrocities of bandits who spare nobody.
”They are constantly rustling cows, kidnapping pastoralists and killing whenever they failed to pay ransoms as demanded by the bandits, stressed that attacks on communities by bandits have nothing to do with Fulani pastoralists.”
Tuga on behalf of the group urged media organizations and the general public to ignore the usual provocative and insensitive statements coming out from Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union SOKAPU and other affiliated groups, therefore appealed to Media organizations to be impartial and to listen to all sides, visit the scenes across the divides and speak to people on all sides to provide Nigerians with accurate accounts of what is happening in the affected areas.
Consequently, they called on all the misguided youths across the divides, particularly of the Atyap ethnic group to refrain from taking unilateral and violent actions by attacking Fulani pastoralists following every breach of security, but Instead allow security agencies and other constituted authorities to investigate every criminal action and attack on individuals and communities.
In addition, they appealed to the State and Local Government, the traditional leaders among others in the State to initiate interventions that will restore the areas to the path of peace suggested lot of social re-orientation programmes are needed to change the negative mindset of the youths in the areas.
“We are appealing to the Kaduna State Government as a matter of urgency to come over in to assist the victims of violence. They are living in very precarious situations and need humanitarian assistance especially food and shelter in the midst of the heavy rains.”
“We are also appealing on the Government and security agencies, particularly Operation Safe Haven to assist in rescuing rustled cows of the pastoralists and evacuate others still trapped in many Atyap villages.
“Our organization is most willing to provide support in this process, especially in identifying the owners of the recovered animals. We are as well appreciating the security agencies efforts and rapid response during the incidences especially the military outfit of “OPERATION SAFE HEAVEN” for their untiring efforts in curbing the insecurity challenges in the area.”
Meanwhile, they commiserated with the families of those that their houses and properties were destroyed, assured the Association with explore means of ensuring justice for the wrongs done to them as provided for in the Laws and Constitution of the country.
