MACBAN demands justice for pastoralists amid rising violence in Plateau State
The National Headquarters of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) is deeply distressed and concerned about the accusations made by the Magavul Development Association of Mangu.
They hold MACBAN and its members accountable for the bloodshed in the Mangu local government area of Plateau State.
For the record, MACBAN wants to clarify that, in the past two months, over 200 pastoralists have been killed and more than 40 settlements have been burned down by members of the Plateau State-operated Rainbow security outfit and other militias.
The recent military report on the killing of some members of the police constabulary in the state and the capture of weapons clearly indicates that the state government is deeply involved, as in several other attacks on pastoralist settlements.
The association has observed an upsurge in violence against pastoralists in the state, particularly in Mangu, Barkin, and Riyom local governments, partly due to political differences since the 2023 elections.
Thousands of pastoralists have been displaced and left to fend for themselves, resulting in significant damage to their economic activities and means of livelihood. Unfortunately, the Plateau State government has not provided any relief to them.
The stigmatization of pastoralists as non-indigenous in these areas has made them legitimate targets of attack by the state-operated Rainbow outfit. These attacks have left the poor and vulnerable traumatized and subjected to hate.
We call on the Federal Government to immediately disband the state-operated Rainbow security outfit and hold the perpetrators and other actors accountable. This will serve as a deterrent to others and pave the way for peace on the plateau.
Since the last elections, there has been an unabated surge in violence against pastoralists across the state. We reaffirm that these pastoralists are bona fide Nigerians and indigenous to Plateau State.
They deserve the protection of their lives and property, as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, no amount of blackmail or intimidation will make them leave their homes.
The ethnic cleansing that has been ongoing on the plateau must be stopped urgently by the Federal Government to prevent further breakdown of law and order across the state.
As an association, we reaffirm our unwavering loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Plateau State in particular.
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