The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has exonerated its members from the recent killings of ten residents in Otukpo-Nobi, Otukpo Local Government Area of the State.
MACBAN, while condemning the killings, urged the public not to attribute responsibility to herders before the conclusion of the investigation.
In a statement issued by the MACBAN Benue State Secretary, Ibrahim Galma, on Monday, the association condemned the violence in the strongest terms as it prayed for the repose of those who lost their lives and wished the injured speedy recovery.
MACBAN urged the public to avoid “hasty conclusions and linking the incident to Fulani herders without proper investigation by security agencies.”
The statement said that Fulani herdsmen had already been displaced from Otukpo and surrounding communities following an earlier crisis.
“All Fulani residents in Otukpo and its environs were forcefully evict”d from the area sometime last year. This included their community leader in Otukpo, Chairman Yenusa, who left the state immediately after all efforts to restore peace in Otukpo failed,” the association said.
MACBAN also said there were longstanding disputes involving Otukpo-Nobi and neighbouring communities, including Okete, Amla-Icho and Otada, stating that previous clashes had resulted in loss of lives.
“We call on the Nigerian authorities to check some content creators who are bringing this sensitive matter, which is still under investigation, into social media discussions. Such actions can incite tension and undermine peace efforts.
“We have full confidence in the security agencies to unravel the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice, no matter who they are,” MACBAN said.
