MACBAN, other pastoralists want FG to take responsibility for airstrikes

Following recent airstrike and killing of some herdsmen by the Nigeria Air Force, a coalition has called on the Federal Government to take responsibility for the killings and compensate victims.

The Coalition of Pastoralists Associations (CPAN), led by Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), made this demand at a news conference in Abuja, yesterday.

Some herders were reportedly killed in airstrikes in Rukubi, Doma Local Council of Nasarawa State, at the border with Benue State on January 24.
The herdsmen had reportedly gone to the area to retrieve 1,250 cows impounded by the Benue Livestock Guards.

The Nigeria Air Force was said to have carried out the airstrike based on intelligence that some terrorists were gathered in the area.

Speaking on behalf of the groups, MACBAN President, Othman Ngelzarma, described the killing of the innocent, law-abiding herdsmen by security forces as unfortunate.

He said 32 herdsmen died in the incident, while eight sustained injuries and were receiving treatment in hospitals.

He urged the Nigerian military to immediately accept responsibility for the bombardment and pay a condolence visit to surviving victims.

He said: “We, on behalf of the victims of these bombardments, call for immediate admittance of responsibility by the Nigerian military, unreserved apology and condolences to families of the deceased pastoralists.
“We also call for the empanelling of an independent judicial commission of enquiry. The commission should identify and prosecute individuals and entities involved in murder, cattle rustling, kidnapping and extortion of pastoralists in Benue and neighbouring states since 2017.”

He urged the Federal Government to provide security for all innocent law-abiding citizens living in parts of Benue and neighbouring states.

Ngelzarma demanded immediate government intervention towards the release of thousands of livestock and herders held captive in Benue.

The MACBAN president also called for the restoration of dialogue and communal harmony among herders and farmers in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba, as a panacea for peace in the affected states.

He added: “We are citizens, not enemy combatants; we should not be killed by those who are paid to protect us.”