The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State has submitted a petition to Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding the 3rd Armoured Division and Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), regarding the seizure of 136 cows and 17 sheep by military personnel.

MACBAN asserts that the livestock, owned by Abdullah Muhammad, Yakubu Adamu, and other family members, were taken without justification.

In the petition directed at Lt. Col. Obi, Commander of the Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Mangu, the association accused him and his officers of engaging in cattle rustling, harassment, and intimidation against the Fulani community in the area.

The leadership of MACBAN expressed that their community is suffering severe hardships and oppression, stating they are “pushed to the wall” and cannot endure the ongoing stress and mistreatment.

The petition highlights that military officers responsible for maintaining peace have instead been committing serious offenses, including cattle rustling, harassment, and extortion.

The association condemned what it described as the barbaric conduct and lawlessness of the military officers, who are meant to represent discipline and order. MACBAN expressed concerns that the actions of these officers reflect poorly on the integrity of the Nigerian military and violate constitutional rights.

The petition read: “We are pushed to the wall, we are subjected to hardships, molestation, discrimination devilish treatment. Sir, in fact, we are stressed and stretched beyond elasticity. Therefore, we want to boldly announce to you that we suffered from unnecessary fatigue and tensions that we can no longer bear.

“We are equally baffled with the activities of these military officers that are saddled with the responsibility of enforcing law and order but, are now resorting to highest atrocities that include cattle rustling, harassing, intimidating, threatening, oppressing, mischief-making, devilish treatment, and hooliganism of the innocence and peace-loving Fulani people just to satisfy their dictators.

“We, at this point, want to formally and officially inform you of the atrocities of the military officers in the field in the name of peacekeeping. We also want to draw your attention to the mischievous, barbaric, unprofessional, provocative, illegal and hooliganism approach to continue creating havoc and a criminal offence that includes killings and destruction of Innocent people’s property, injury, illegal arrest, torture and extortion”.

The petition referenced several past incidents involving military personnel, including a recent event where 74 cows, belonging to Alh. Hudu Adamu, was reportedly stolen by individuals in military uniforms. Efforts to recover the lost cattle, including payments made to military personnel, proved fruitless.

In light of these grievances, MACBAN has called for an immediate investigation into the conduct of Lt. Col. Obi and his team. They are requesting his reassignment to ensure an unbiased inquiry and to prevent further illegal actions by military personnel.

Additionally, they demanded that all victims of military operations be invited to present their grievances and that proper compensation be provided for any losses incurred.

“We solicit for the immediate investigation of the matter. We request for the reposting of Lt Col Obi from FOB Mangu for the free flow of investigation,” MACBAN added.

“We want to inform you that we Lost total confidence in him because he can do and undo. We also solicit that all illegal and selective operations shall be discouraged in the field.

“All victims of the poor operation and those who have been wounded in one way or the other shall be invited to voluntarily issue out their grievances through issuing statements.

“The investigation shall include all other violators of the constitution through conspiring to eliminate the cows, and other valuables either civilians or other security personnel.”

The petition was signed by key members of MACBAN in the Mangu LGA, including the chairman, Muhammad Nuru Abdullah, and other prominent leaders within the association. The petition was also copied to several high-ranking officials, including the National Security Adviser and the Minister of Defense.