The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State, has refuted allegations of herdsmen’s involvement in recent attacks in the area.
Yahaya Bello, chairman of MACBAN in Mangu, dismissed the accusations as “untrue,” emphasizing the losses suffered by herdsmen within the community.
“We are not responsible; we are the people of Mangu. We are not militias; many of our people were killed,” Bello stated. “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.”
Bello also rebuffed 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 asserted.
In response to inquiries about suspected perpetrators, MACBAN denied allegations 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,” Bello added.