By Dada Ahmed.
The National Headquarters of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has condemned the silence of the Federal Government and the military authorities over seemingly intentional Killings of over 40 pastoralists and butchers in Rukubi village of Doma Local Government Area in Nasarawa State on the 25th of January, 2023.
Muhammad Nura Abdullahi, the national Public Relations officer,PRO of the body, who stated this in a statement,a copy of which was made available to The Reporters on Saturday, therefore, demanded an explanation over the issue.
He describe the silence as “reprehensible and total lack of regards to the loss of lives of ordinary Nigerians who are victims of high handedness of Benue State Government and the officers of the Makurdi based Operation whirl stroke who deployed an aircraft/drone that killed the innocent pastoralists.”
According to the image maker, the Pastoralists went to Makurdi earlier in the day to retrieve their 1250 livestock earlier impounded by the Benue State livestock guards after paying a fine of N29 million.
Abdullahi added:” If nothing else, we expect the President to commiserate with families of the victims for this heinous crime.
“MACBAN recalls that this is the third time in one year that the Air force, Makurdi had been involved in bombing of Pastoralists and livestock in Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states.
“The recent killings constitute War crime and a panel of inquiry must be constituted to find out on whose authority the drone/aircraft was used and punish the culprits.
“MACBAN holds the Benue state government liable in this incident because from all indications, the trucks carrying the livestock were closely monitored and waited until it reached its destination before unleashing the armed drone on pastoralists who were waiting to collect their livestock.
“These pastoralists are bona fide Nigerians and have rights like every other citizen and therefore must be protected under the law.
“The loss of one life is bad enough talk less of over 40 innocent lives in a single swoop. This is unacceptable and most despicable crime against humanity.
“We find it shameful that while people were being killed, the President was enjoying a state dinner in Katsina state.
“We also call on the Nigerian Human Rights Commission to investigate this case and other cases involving the shooting by the Air force in Nasarawa state.”
