The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has stated that it is willing to work with the government to address the country’s ongoing insecurity issues.
The herders’ union acknowledges that kidnappers, bandits, and cattle rustlers have wreaked havoc on the country, and that urgent action is needed to put a stop to the criminals.
According to Anaedoonline.ng, MACBAN said in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday that it has established a strategy to combat the threat so that pastoralists may resume their business and residents can reclaim their lands that have been overrun by the murderous organizations.
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The conclusion was made after a meeting of the herders’ National Executive Council (NEC) last weekend, according to the herders’ union.
The NEC meeting discussed problems including security challenges faced by pastoralists across the country, as well as the approaching MACBAN national elections, according to a communique issued by MACBAN National President Hussein Bosso and National Secretary Baba Ngelzarma.
It further declared that MACBAN would provide full support to the government and security services in dealing with outlaws, bandits, and other criminals that make pastoralists’ life in remote areas intolerable.
MACBAN said the NEC directed state chapters to conduct town hall meetings, involving leaders, youth leaders and other critical stakeholders to address peculiar issues militating against pastoralists’ education.
Parts of its strategy was to invoke the culture of ‘Pulaku’ against any family that harbours or aids criminality.
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The herders association expressed its appreciation for the support it had received as well as the concern of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the plight of pastoralists.
“MACBAN assures the sultan that the association will do whatever it takes to restore dignity, the culture of Fulani people and address issues affecting pastoralists with all the seriousness it deserves,’’ it stated.
The communique added that the association appealed to the sultan to organise a national conference involving pastoralists’ leaders, the intelligentsia and other critical stakeholders.
“This is with the view to addressing issues of insecurity, economic empowerment and the negative profiling of pastoralists in the social and mainstream media.
“The meeting also expressed serious concerns about the continuous displacement of thousands of pastoralists’ families as a result of cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping and the activities of outlawed groups.
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“They attack, maim, or kill pastoralists without any just cause. If this continues it might soon bankrupt the livestock industry as a whole,’’ it stated.
It added that the meeting agreed to follow the timeline, rules and regulations for the conduct of the forthcoming MACBAN national elections.
Anaedoonline.ng understands that the NEC meeting was presided over by the MACBAN president, and was attended by chairmen and secretaries from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
The communique stated that one “Ardo’’ (Ruga leader) from each state and representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto, the Emir of Kano, the Emir of Zazzau (Kaduna State) and the Emir of Katsina were also in attendance.”
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