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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have disagreed sharply over the recent killings in Barkin Ladi, which 13 persons were killed.
BYM had, in a press statement signed by Secretary, Bature Adazaram, and President Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri, alleged that armed Fulani from Fass and Werre/Jong areas launched two simultaneous attacks on Rachas village of Tatu Community in Heipang District and Rawuru village of Fan District, all in Barkin Ladi LGA.
According to the BYM statement, the said attack claimed 13 persons. BYM further alleged that over 250 cattle belonging to Berom were rustled during the attack. We condemn any form of criminality against humanity, irrespective of their origin.
The Berom youths also alleged that they’ve lost 25 persons within seven days, saying that they wouldn’t present themselves for any security meeting with Fulani
The statement said, “We also wish to emphatically assert that the propaganda machine of the killer Fulani, using cow as a hideout to terrorize peace loving people of Plateau, especially Berom land, we call for outright ban on free grazing on our lands as falsehoods and frabricated claims of cattle rustling cannot justify the taking of human life, forceful taking over of lands by displacement and alarming destruction of farmlands in order to economically weaken and impoverish our people, who are agrarian in nature.
“Thus, sanctity of life remains supreme under the Nigerian Constitution and international instruments.
However in countering what it referred to as unfounded allegations of attacks against the Fulani, MACBAN, in a statement signed by Chairman Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, said that they’re not surprised by the allegation by BYM, considering that such allegations against Fulani have become a normal routine, stressing that it’s on record that Fulani are often accused of attacks without any substantiated proof.
The statement said, “We challenge BYM to provide any evidence to support their claim, if any. We believe that one is always accused of committing a crime if they are arrested and evidence is provided.
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“But BYM has a habit of rushing to accuse us even before investigation by security agencies. We are not in any way party to those responsible for the claimed attack.
“The world has seen the difficulties the Fulani communities are going through in the state. We are being killed daily. Our cattle are being rustled on a daily basis. Our members cannot go out for grazing due to the incessant gunmen attacks on us. Gunmen open fire at will whenever they go. All security agencies are aware of these atrocities.
“From June this year to date, we have lost more than 500 cattle, with some shot and others rustled. In June, between the 1st and 14th, over 160 cattle belonging to Haruna Ibrahim and Alh Sani Muhammad were rustled by Berom from Fan district. Later, on September 2, a herder was killed and over seven cattle were killed by the same Berom of Fan district.
“October saw a series of attacks: on the 2nd, three herders were attacked along Mararaban Kantoma; on the 5th, herder Yusuf Abubakar and his 5 cattle were killed; and on the 7th, a Tuesday, herder Abubakar Wada and his 39 cattle were killed, with over 50 rustled around Izon community of Fan district of Barkin LAdi. We have reported all these attacks to security agencies, including the police, Operation Enduring Peace, and DSS. The reports of these incidents can be verified with relevant security agencies.
“We therefore categorically reject the allegations by BYM against our members of any attack in Barkin Ladi communities and urge members of the public to dismiss it as there is no justification or basis for it. We also call on security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure the arrest of the perpetrators and bring them to book.
“We also call on security agencies to investigate the killing of our members and the rustling of their cattle and bring them to justice. We are calling on security agencies to provide adequate security to ensure the protection of our members who often go out to graze, so as to restore confidence in them.
“We are still urging our members to remain calm, law-abiding, and never take the law into their own hands. We are confident that the security forces will investigate whoever is responsible for the perpetrators against us.”
