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From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, (MACBAN) has condemned, strongly, the attack on innocent citizens in the state by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia.
Secretary of the association, Ibrahim Galma, who made the condemnation in Makurdi, on Monday, said his association is working with security agencies and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in the state to return peace to the state.
Recall that gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia have launched several attacks on innocent Benue people, killing about 100 farmers in several communities in Apa, Otukpo, Logo and Guma Local Government Areas.
The association while regretting the attacks said “We condemn the attack in totality. We MACBAN are working hard, together with AFAN in the state as well as security agencies to make sure that is peace and harmony restored in the state.
Galma regretted that despite their efforts “some bad people are still causing problems, killing here and there,” and urged security agencies to fish them out and bring them to book so that the world will know who they are.
He further expressed the hope that the newly elected government of Rev Father Hyacinth Alia will change the situation and narration of the state to a better Benue.
He prayed that “The relationship between the herders and farmers will be restored so that harmony and peaceful coexistence between the two parties will be established.
He declared the association’s commitment to work with the incoming administration saying “We have full support, respect and hope for the incoming administration.
“The bad element is still causing problems in the state. We the MACBAN on behalf of our people in the entire Benue condemned what happened recently in Otukpo and Guma LGA in totality.
“We are not in support of the killings. We are for peace and we hope to give the new administration maximum support so that peace will return to the state.
He also condoled the government of Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom, all stakeholders in the state and families of the victims, adding: “We feel pained. We feel pain as they fill and we mourn with them. No one of us is happy with what has happened and we pray that God gives strength to Nigeria’s security, President Muhammadu Buhari to find the perpetrators of these killings until justice is established for the victims of the killings.”
He urged the security to, “at whatever cost, do their best to find the perpetrators so that the world will know the truth.”
