From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has said that it is putting measures in place to ensure that criminals who disguise as herders do not infiltrate its ranks in the South East as the dry season approaches.
The National Deputy Director General of MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, who made this known after a meeting with leaders of the association in the South East states, Kogi and Benue, said that the association was keen on consolidating confidence building efforts between its members and their host communities.
He said: “As the dry season approaches, pastoralists will migrate to green areas in search of greener pastures for their herds. I enjoin our people, herdsmen, who live in the South East to be conscious of their environment and avoid infiltrations by marauders who parade themselves as herdsmen and attract bad names to us by their nefarious acts.
“I passionately enjoin our people to brace up towards the consolidation of our move to actualise confidence building for harmonious coexistence between our people and their host communities. This is pursuant to ensuring cordiality, harmony and security in the border communities in Enugu, Kogi and Anambra states.
“While in this pursuit, we noted the presence of political forces bent on demonising our people for selfish political gains that do not spell mutual accommodation amongst Nigerians across the nation’s geopolitical space. We however express sincere commitment to the productive dialogue across board going on at Uzo Uwani LGA.”
Siddiki accused those he termed “anti dialogue forces” of deploying thugs to attack genuine herders, kill their children and cattle just to provoke a retaliation from the pastoralists, escalate the crisis and then turn around to blame herdsmen.
“We have warned our members not to take the law into their hands, but rather to report any aggression/provocation to our leadership who in turn will forward the same to the appropriate authorities for justice to be done,” he stated.