Taraba gov’t faults Miyetti over fresh killings

The Taraba State government has described the recent claim by the state chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria that 50 of its members were killed in fresh attacks as complete falsehood and “a ploy to shield its members who are strongly believed to have carried out attacks”.
The state chapter of the association reportedly said that at least 50 of its members were killed in the current crisis between herdsmen and Ndoro people in Gashaka Local Government Area of the state.
The Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Silvanus Giwa, who faulted the claim in Abuja yesterday in a statement said: “The claim by the leadership of Miyetti Allah was a mockery of the victims of the recent attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen who allegedly carried sophisticated weapons and used same to unleash terror on harmless and innocent people of Dori, Maisuma, Angai and Fali villages in Gashaka and parts of Kurmi Local Government Areas of the state.”
  Giwa said the chairman of the Miyetti Allah, who addressed a news conference in Jalingo on the incident, failed to present evidence (photographs) of his members that were killed in the crisis.
  “The police and the state government, on the other hand, presented gory photographs of the victims to buttress every point on the matter. Therefore looking at the scenario, one would know who is telling lies to cause more harm than good in this matter,” Giwa said.
 He said it was disheartening for the chairman, who is a civilian, to “assume the position of a security chieftain by suggesting which measures should be adopted by the commissioner of police on how people believed to be culpable in the crisis should be treated “simply because his member, one Ardo Ayuba, was arrested in connection with the crisis.
 “According to intelligence gathered, the crisis started in the area when some suspected herdsmen killed a woman believed to be Ndoro by tribe when she resisted rape on her farm. This is contrary to what Miyetti Allah said,” Giwa’s statement reads.
  He said the state government, under the leadership of Darius Ishaku, was determined to bring the perpetrators of the act to book, with a view to ensuring peace.
  “Since he assumed office, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has continued to emphasise the need for harmony and peaceful coexistence among the various communities in the state,” Giwa said.