Insecurity in S/East not targeted at herders –Miyetti Allah

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said that the spate of insecurity in the South East is not targeted at herders.

The South East Zonal Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, said this yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu while speaking on the Sunday burning of a truck-load of cattle on Uga-Ezinifite-Igboukwu Road in Anambra State.

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Recall that since the incident, there has been a hostile exchange of words between another herders’ association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

However, the MACBAN chief said though the incident was reprehensible the situation needed not be allowed to degenerate, noting that the security challenge in the South East was not an isolated one from the totality of the situation in the country.

Siddiki said, “It is evident that while our herders have suffered victims of the dastardly operations by the hoodlums, other Nigerians, including indigenes, have also fallen victims. Government and private valuables have been lost to these gangs. “It is, therefore, a burden on society which everyone and the government are called upon to contribute to its reduction and eventual eradication.”

Siddiki further said MACBAN would not subscribe to the mode of the altercation between the two aforementioned interest organisations. He said, “While MACBAN continues to sue for peace among aggrieved Nigerians across ethnic divides, we advise the relevant organs of government to fish out the lawless elements causing harm.” (NAN)

He attributed the surge in criminal activities to injustice, inequity and unemployment, adding that the various levels of government had a role to play in addressing the challenge. (NAN)