Miyetti Allah reveals reason behind their presence within eastern region
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has said that it has no other interest by its presence within the eastern region, other than to do their business of cow selling, adding that MACBAN would not do anything to create tension in the region.
Speaking through the MACBAN South-East leader, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, on Monday after a meeting of the joint executive council of the group in Enugu, the group expressed necessity for the explanation, adding that it’s as a result of the growing suspicion and speculation about their activities in the region.
Sidiki noted that the suspicion that the herdsmen were aiding and abetting Fulani territorial expansionism has not only made its members uncomfortable, that such assertion was not true.
He further said that such suspicion has created unhealthy relationships in most parts of the South East region, says that the thinking that their interests in the zone were beyond economic pursuits was wrong.
In his words, “This suspicion is rooted upon the speculations that herdsmen are harbingers of Fulani territorial expansionism. However, the leadership of MACBAN under my watch in the South East has continued to dialogue appreciably well with the individual state governments in the zone.
“I am happy that the dialogue gives us hope for better understanding between our members and their host communities,” Siddiki said, pointing out that the group would not hesitate to report any of its members found to be involved in criminal activities to law enforcement agencies.
“We, hereby, jointly resolve to fully lend our efforts toward fostering an enduring and harmonious relationship with our host communities. We urge members of our host communities to be more accommodating too”, he said.
Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting, Obinwannem News
