By: Oliver Kum, July 16, 2021
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Kaduna State Chapter has observed with total dismay and disappointment the way and manner communities have indoctrinated their youths to hating the Fulani resulting in launching series of attacks leading to deaths of many of them in addition to rustling of their cows.
This was contained in a statement by MACBAN Chairman, Kaduna State Chapter Alh. Haruna Usman Tugga and a copy made available to African Drum
The Chairman noted that the hatred against the Fulani was again, played out recently after an attack on a family by unknown bandits in Gora Gan village of Atyap Chiefdom, Zango Kataf on July 7, 2021.
According to MACBAN Chairman, “As we are all aware, violent conflicts have been ongoing in many of the villages in Atyap Chiefdom of Zangon Kataf Local Government.
“Based on the information available to our Association, the trigger for the present round of disturbances emanated from the attack on a family by unknown bandits in Gora Gan village of the Chiefdom on 7th July 2021.
“As is characteristic of the misinformed youths who are indoctrinated to hate the Fulani pastoralists, attack on cattle rearers followed the unfortunate event.
“While security agencies moved in swiftly to contain the violence around Gora Gan and adjoining villages, there was mobilization of Atyap youths by some ethnic chauvinists among the Atyap ethnic community and other non-peace loving organizations that resulted in attacks on Fulani settlements throughout the Chiefdom.
“Within a few days, all the houses belonging to the Fulani in the Chiefdom were burnt by mobs in a broad daylight”.
Alhaji Tugga said that in addition to the burning of settlements, an unconfirmed number of Fulani pastoralists were also killed stressing that consequence upon this, the surviving victims of the arson are now internally displaced and scattered around in neigbouring Local Governments of Kaura, Kauru, Lere, Jema’a and Kachia.
He added that due to the nature of attacks and displacement of the Fulani people, the Association was yet to ascertained the total number of people killed but emphasized that there are confirmed reports of the killing of 16 persons, mostly women and children while over 300 houses belonging to the Fulani were reportedly burnt to ashes in the different villages of the Chiefdom.
Narrating further, the Fulani leader said “not only our people and houses were targeted, cattle belonging to the Fulani were not spared. There are reports of the killing of many cows, the number of which is yet to be determined because of the tense security situation in the area.
“In addition, thousands of cows were abandoned by the fleeing cattle owners, which exposed the animals to threats of rustling.
“Also, unsubstantiated information available to us indicates that several groups of cattle rustlers have already invaded the areas to rustle the remaining cows, with additional report of occasional clashes between rustling gangs”.
The Chairman said that as a result of the ugly situation, the Fulani pastoralists were in disarray and left at the mercy of God as no support was coming from any quarters. He further stressed that the Fulani were in a precarious situation as their means of livelihoods and habitation has been totally destroyed.
“It is against this background that we found a Press Statement issued by the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) most surprising.
“We are shocked on the sources of their information and for retorting to total blackmail against the victims of aggression.
“People whose households were completely burnt, who scampered to safety leaving behind all possessions could be accused of perpetuating violence”
In the light of this, the Chairman urged the media and the general public to ignore what he called, “the usual provocative and insensitive statements coming out from SOKAPU and other affiliated groups”.
He further appealed to the Media to be impartial and to also imbibed the spirit of fairness and objectivity by always listening to both sides to ensure balancing. He said the media can do better by visiting the sites and scenes across the divides of current upheaval and speak to people on all sides to provide Nigerians with detailed and accurate information of what is happening in the affected areas.
MACBAN further stated that What is most needed at this stage from SOKAPU and all other stakeholders was partnership and cooperation that will lead to durable peace and social harmony.
He said that there was need for collective action to deal with the challenges of insecurity, which also requires strategic cooperation with the governments, traditional leaders and security establishments at all levels.
“We wish to clearly state that the Fulani pastoralists are equal victims of the atrocities of bandits who spare nobody.
“They are constantly rustling cows, kidnapping pastoralists and killing whenever they failed to pay ransoms as demanded by the bandits.
“Attacks on communities by bandits have nothing to do with Fulani pastoralists.
“We are using this platform to call on all the misguided youths across the divides, but particularly of the Atyap ethnic group to refrain from taking unilateral and violent actions by attacking Fulani pastoralists following every breach of security.
“Indeed, security agencies and other constituted authorities should be allowed to investigate every criminal action and attack on individuals and communities.
“We have seen how many of such investigations in the past found out that criminals within the same ethnic group were responsible for the crimes earlier thought to have been committed by Fulani pastoralists”.
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