The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has declared that the incessant attacks and killings in Plateau State, which have been attributed to Fulani militias, will continue due to the injustice herders face in the state.
National Secretary of the group, Malam Bello Gotomo, who said this on Wednesday after the end of the body’s National Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held in Abuja, also stated that climate-induced migration, proliferation of weapons, weak law enforcement, and the persistent lack of justice were responsible for the persistent attacks and killings in the state.
Gotomo said instances where Fulani herders are attacked, killed, and their cows rustled by natives and nothing is done by security agencies, automatically force the herders to seek justice in their own way by attacking the communities where they were wronged.
He added that the Fulani people are peace-loving people who have been living with Plateau natives in peace and harmony for years before criminals began stealing their cows and killing them, and whenever they are arrested, nothing would be done to them, which in turn, triggers off reprisal attacks.
Though Gotomo condemned the killings that have been going on in different parts of the state, he, however, appealed to all parties to embrace dialogue and forge a mutual ground to ensure lasting peace.
He also called on the federal and state governments to ensure justice for wronged Fulani people in the state if there is a desire to end the spate of attacks.
