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In a troubling development in Benue State, the Mi-yetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has accused security personnel of killing 70 cows and three rams belonging to its members. The allegations, which also include the disappearance of one Fulani herder, have sparked tension and prompted investigations in the region.
According to Ando Risku Mohammed, the Chairman of MACBAN’s Benue State chapter, the incidents occurred across multiple local government areas (LGAs), including Ohimini, Katsina Ala, and Guma. Mohammed specifically pointed to personnel from the State Civil Protection Guard and local vigilante groups in Ohimini LGA, alleging they raided a Fulani settlement, resulting in the death of 30 cows and three sheep, as well as the disappearance of one of their members. He further claimed that an additional 22 cows were killed in Katsina Ala and 24 in Guma LGAs.
“Our members have been having problems with the Civil Protection Guards and vigilante groups in Ohimini LGA since last Thursday,” Mohammed stated. “They invaded our settlement, attacked our people, one of our members is still missing, and three sheep and 30 cows were killed.”
The accusations have drawn mixed responses from local authorities. Adole Gabriel, the Chairman of Ohimini LGA, confirmed that MACBAN had brought the issue to the council’s attention and assured that an investigation is underway. “Those are the allegations the MACBAN leader made when he called me a few days ago. We are yet to confirm it, but I can assure you that an investigation into the matter is ongoing,” Gabriel said.
However, Joseph Har, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, defended the State Civil Protection Guard, denying their involvement in the alleged killings. Har explained that the guards do not operate independently but work alongside conventional security forces like the police and military during surveillance operations. “MACBAN cannot claim that our personnel are responsible for these killings,” he said, emphasizing the collaborative nature of their operations.
The Benue State Police Command, through its spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet, provided a different account, stating that reports from Ohimini confirmed the killing of only one cow and one sheep, with a Fulani man still missing. “There is no report of killings in Katsina Ala. In Ohimini, one cow and one sheep were killed, and police are still searching for the missing person,” Edet clarified.
The conflicting reports highlight the complexity of the situation, which has added to the ongoing tensions between herders and local communities in Benue State. The state has long been a flashpoint for farmer-herder conflicts, often exacerbated by disputes over grazing land and resources. MACBAN’s allegations, if substantiated, could further strain relations and raise questions about the conduct of security operations in the region.
As investigations continue, authorities are under pressure to provide clarity and ensure accountability. The police have pledged to continue their search for the missing individual, while local leaders are calling for calm to prevent further escalation.
This incident underscores the need for dialogue and effective conflict resolution mechanisms to address the root causes of such disputes. For now, the people of Benue await the outcome of the investigations, hoping for justice and a path toward lasting peace.
Source: Punch Newspaper
