The South-East Zone of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has alleged that 21 of its members have been killed with an undisclosed number of cows missing in Anambra State.
Zonal Chairman of the association, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, disclosed this while briefing journalist last Sunday in Awka, on recent attacks at the Mohammed Idris Herder’s Settlement at Ogborji in Orumba South Local Government Area of the state where four Fulani herdsmen were allegedly killed and hundreds of cows declared missing.
He alleged that the four herders killed brought the total number of Fulani herders killed between January and early March in the state to 21. Siddiki gave the names of the victims as Hadari Umaru, Hamidu Umaru, Aliu Idris and Hassan Idris. According to him, “in the early hours of Saturday, one of the escaped herders called me and told me that some unknown gunmen in a Toyota Hilux vehicle invaded the Mohammed Idris Herders Settlement shooting sporadically, leading to the death of four of our members with hundreds of cows scattered all over the area.
“He said that out of the four persons killed, the police have only recover one corpse after a complaint was lodged, while three others are still missing. He also said that two herders were killed in a similar manner in Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.” Siddiki lamented until the recent attacks on members of the association, herders had enjoyed cordial relationship with their host communities in the state and the entire South- East region.
He stated further that “the Fulani people in the South-East are not violent and we are not here to undermine the business of the people of the area. We are here to transact business and not to ferment trouble.