Terrorists kill Miyetti Allah chairman, three others in Katsina 

• State govt considers 70 guards to protect forest resources
• Cooperative to establish cattle ranches in 774 LGs

Terrorists have killed Acting Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Katsina State, Amadu Surajo.

They also murdered three other people, and injured several others.

The incident occurred on Saturday night into the wee hours of yesterday, when the hoodlums attacked Mai Rana Village in Kusada Local Council of the state.

It was gathered that the hoodlums abducted the first and second wives of the acting chairman, along with one of his daughters, who is an undergraduate in one of the public universities in the country.

A close source said Surajo’s first wife was later released by the abductors.

Before his death, Surajo was the State Secretary of MACBAN before his elevation as Acting Chairman.

His current portfolio came after the National Vice President of MACBAN, who doubled as chairman of the association in the state, Munnir Lamido, mysteriously disappeared last June.

According to reports, Lamido had left his Katsina residence on June 23 and was travelling to Kaduna State.

He was said to have informed family members by phone that he had stopped in Zaria to eat at a restaurant.

But his whereabouts became unknown after family and friends tried to reach him hours later, his vehicle and two phones were later recovered along Maraban Jos, just before entering Kaduna town.

He was declared missing by security operatives a few days later, and his whereabouts have remained unknown ever since.

Following the Saturday night’s incident, sources said security operatives had been deployed to the community to ensure peace, and investigate the incident.

The remains of Surajo and other deceased persons were buried later Sunday morning, according to Islamic rites, while the injured were hospitalised.

Spokesperson for the state police command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, did not respond to inquiries at press time.

BUT Governor Dikko Radda has ordered the immediate recruitment of 70 forest guards on Grade Level 01 as part of measures to protect the state’s forest resources.

Also, he said plans had reached an advanced stage for establishment of specialised courts to address forest conservation violations.

A statement by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the recruitment followed a comprehensive report on unlawful allocation of forest reserves between 2017 and 2023 in the state.

“The governor also explained that the forest guards will be strategically distributed across local government areas in affected zones, and operate under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

“Accordingly, the guards will conduct regular surveillance to prevent unauthorised encroachment and illegal tree-felling activities.

“In the same vein, plans have reached an advanced stage for the establishment of specialised courts dedicated to addressing forest conservation violations.

“When established, these judicial bodies will have specific jurisdiction over cases involving illegal encroachment, unauthorised tree felling and other related environmental offences.

“These measures represent our administration’s commitment to protecting our natural resources,” the statement quoted the governor to have said.