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Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has called on the federal government to arrest
leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN)
and the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
The call came as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Wednesday said
218 persons were killed during the crisis, against 86 reported by the
police.
MBF said that with leadership of Miyetti claiming that the attacks were
retaliatory, there should be no delay on the part of government in
arresting leaders of the association.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the President of the Middle Belt
Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu, said the entire Middle Belt had been under siege
for the past two decades, saying states like Southern Kaduna, Benue,
Nasarawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Kogi, Southern Borno and Plateau had been the
theatres of an undeclared war.
“A few days ago, Plateau state was once again the theatre of barbaric,
unspeakable, despicable and demonic massacre of our people. Over 200
persons were murdered by persons purported to be Fulani herdsmen’’, the
forum added.
“Our conclusion therefore, is that this is evidence of high level
complicity by the security forces. The recent twist to the genocide in the
Middle Belt is that after each round of these killings, the Miyetti Allah
Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) or the Miyetti Allah
Kautal Haure have claimed responsibility for the killings.
“In Benue and Taraba, the Miyetti Allah opposed the passage of the Anti
-Open Grazing Prohibition Laws of those states and openly declared that
the killings were a direct consequence of their opposition. Just a few
days ago and immediately after the genocide in Plateau, the Miyetti Allah
claimed responsibility and their justification was that over 300 cows were
stolen by some indigenous Berom youths.”
Pogu maintained that in all of these cases, the leadership of the Miyetti
Allah had neither been arrested nor had the government banned the
‘’murderous’’ organisation.
The forum also called on the President to immediately direct arrest of the
leadership of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and Miyetti Allah Cattle
Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for investigation and
prosecution, and also immediately direct the Attorney General and Minister
of Justice to set in motion the process for the proscription of these two
organisations.
Explaining the negative impact of the killings, Pogu stressed that though
the forum was not concerned about politics, the increasing cases of
killings would in the long run reduce the voting strength of the Middle
Belt region in the 2019 general elections.
He added, “Naturally when such genocide happened, people are going to
move, and it is going to affect the voting strength of the Middle Belt.”
The group accused the security agencies of complacency, calling on
President Buhari to immediately reconstitute the top echelon of the
security forces. It said the peoples of the Middle Belt had every reason
to suspect that the top echelon of the security forces was unwilling or
unable to protect them.
According to the forum, “The refusal of the Inspector General of Police to
stay in Makurdi as directed by the President and Commander in Chief in
January 2018 and the recent comment of the Minister of Defence directing
states to suspend the Anti-Open Grazing Prohibition Laws of their various
states, are clear evidence that they are neither interested, willing or
able to be fair to the people of the Middle Belt.”
The forum also tasked President Buhari and National Assembly members to
expedite action by ensuring that the country is restructured, in order to
resolve some of the current crises bedevilling the nation.
On its part, CAN said contrary to the Police’s report, 218 persons had
been confirmed dead as a result of the crisis.
In a graphic presentation of those killed by Fulani herdsmen, CAN
President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, explained that about 37 villages in Plateau
State had been under constant attacks from Fulani herdsmen in the last
three months.
He said, “Following the killings that took place on the Plateau, CAN has
obtained reliable information on the number of dead as recorded in B/Ladi
& Riyom LGAs from Saturday, 23 to Monday 25 June, 2018.’’
Listing the number of death, the CAN President named Gashish District,
Nhyer – 80; Exland(G/Akwati) – 40; Ruku – 34, Kakuruk – 6; Kuzen – 5;
totalling 165
Others include, Ropp District: Gana Ropp – 34; Razat – 1; Kwang Jot Near
Gen. Hospital (Takwok) – 1; Rakwok – 2, totalling – 38.
In Bachi District: Shonong 8 people were killed while death toll in Riyom
District were: Kwi recorded 1; Heipang District: Chit Heipang 2; Vwang
District: K-Vom Vwang Jos South 1 (OPSH Killing); Zawan District: Anguldi
– 3 (OPSH Killings), with grand total of 218 deaths.
“Apart from the total number of those killed, there are still missing
persons. Many people also sustained various degrees of injuries”, CAN
added.
The Christian group called on President Buhari to replace all the security
chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, saying they have overstayed
their welcome.
According to the group, “It is ridiculous and embarrassing that in the
last three years, none of these criminals have been apprehended, detained,
arraigned and convicted.
“This is what is emboldening them to kill the innocent with impunity. We
are approaching a state of anarchy faster than we can imagine. Why are we
following the footpath of Rwanda daily with these unprecedented killings
and mass burials when we are not at war?”