By Correspondent in Minna
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has raised alarm over alleged killing of its members by some vigilante groups in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger state but the group denied describing it as ‘all lies’.
The Deputy National President of the association, Alhaji Usaini Yusuf Bosso, disclosed this while addressing newsmen over what he termed, ‘unwarranted attacks and killing’ of members in Minna.
Bosso, who condemned constant attacks on the cattle breeders, told journalists on Tuesday that “at the moment, about 21 MACBAN members are feared dead and their corpses burnt beyond recognition by the suspected vigilante members.
Also speaking, one of the victims of the alleged attacks, Malam Muhammadu Dabo, recalled how three of his sons were burnt beyond recognition in his presence at Tashar Hajiya village in Mashegu by some members of the local vigilante group.
In quick reactions, however, a senior official of the state vigilante group, Comrade Ahmed Gwani, described the allegation as not only as full of lies but also a plot by MACBAN members to cover their” evil tracks” in an attempt to drag the image of vigilante group in the state to the mud.
Gwani, who said it was wrong for MACBAN to raise such alarm, explained that “Members of Vigilante group in Niger state are not only law abiding but people with proven integrity, adding that they would not engage in such negative act”.
Meanwhile, state Government has waded into the misunderstanding between the state vigilante group and MACBAN with a view to ending tension in the affected local government area.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, who made the position of the state government known said investigation had commenced begun as part of genuine effort to promote peaceful coexistence amongst the diverse groups across the state.
