The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State, has denied involvement of herdsmen in recent attacks in the area.
Yahaya Bello, chairman of MACBAN in Mangu, described the accusation as “untrue,” highlighting losses herdsmen suffered within the community.
He said, “We are not responsible, we are the people of Mangu, we are not militias, many of our people were killed.
“I have to tell you the story of Mangu. Mangu is a large local government that contains about 11 districts, about 9 districts no Fulani man in them. We have been pushed to 1 district, they are saying that we are militias while we are not.”
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Bello also rejected claims of MACBAN’s involvement in land-grabbing.
“No, that is not true. The issue of land grabbing, Fulani are just there to rear our cows, we have never done that,” he added.
Responding to questions about suspected perpetrators, MACBAN refuted claims that any of their members had been apprehended with weapons related to the attacks.
“Nothing of that nature, nobody has ever been arrested from our side with ammunition. I have not seen it,” he added.