BY: Manoah Kikekon
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The Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, a Fulani Socio-cultural Organization, has called on security agencies to stop vigilante groups from hunting and killing pastoralists in Taraba and Plateau states.
The National Secretary of MACBAN, Bello Aliyu-Gotomo, made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, emphasising the need for security agencies to put a stop to vigilante mob activities.
"The National Headquarters of MACBAN condemns the hunting and killing of innocent pastoralists by members of a local vigilante group in Taraba's Bali Local Government Areas and some unknown gunmen in Plateau's Bokkos and Barikin Ladi."
"Reports reaching MACBAN headquarters indicate that on November 25, 2022, 13 innocent pastoralists were allegedly hunted down and killed by members of the local vigilante in Jatau and Japan villages in Bali LGA in Taraba state," he said.
"The vigilante group also rustled over 270 cows and stole several pastoralists' motorcycles as they passed through the area.
"This heinous and heinous crime was committed in full view of constituted authorities, with no arrests made thus far."
Mr Gotomo stated that no one has the authority to take a citizen's life unless authorised by legitimate authorities.
He urged the federal and state governments to put a stop to the vigilantes' overzealous activities, which are contributing to the Northwest's spiralling insecurity.
"As a result, Taraba should learn a lesson," he said. "We are concerned about a situation in which the entire security architecture is left in the hands of local vigilante groups, as is currently occurring in Bali LGA of Taraba State."
"We recall that the crisis in Bali began in October 2022, when members of the vigilante group and their collaborators killed 12 pastoralists in Zude village, also in Bali LGA, robbed 704 cattle, and stole over 30 motorcycles; to date, no one has been arrested for these crimes."
"Allowing impunity is a major reason why insecurity is escalating in the country, and it is past time to deal decisively with the activities of so-called vigilantes before Taraba is plunged into the kind of crisis that Zamfara and Katsina states are experiencing."
The national secretary also urged the Plateau State Government and security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for the deaths of innocent herders and farmers in the state.
"As a responsible Association, we stand ready to assist all state governments and security agencies in dealing with misbehaving pastoralists."
"We have always worked in collaboration with governments and security agencies in the past, and we will continue to work for peace and security for all Nigerians," he said.