Herdsmen not under attack in South East, says MACBAN

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said that Fulani herdsmen were neither under attack nor are they being forced to leave any part of the South-East, particularly Ebonyi state.

The Southeast Zonal Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, disclosed this in a statement, on Tuesday, in Enugu, describing it as fake news calculated to create disharmony in parts of the country.

He said that although herdsmen in the area, just as in other parts of the country, have not had it so rosy, the situation was not hopeless.

Siddiki said that the Ebonyi Government had put in place structures that would ensure peaceful coexistence between herders and their host communities.

“It is not as if the relationship has been all smooth all the while, but the state governor has instituted structures meant to contain endemic skirmishes and conflicts.

“One of such structures is the State Committee on Herdsmen, with me representing MACBAN on the committee,” the zonal chairman said.

He said that Gov. Dave Umahi had made interventions, as well as demonstrated creditable interest in forestalling crisis and in mitigating their effects, wherever they broke out.

“Therefore, I implore our herders not to panic and leave their locations, but to only make calculated movements without giving any wrong impressions of aggression against them where none exists,” Siddiki said.

He assured that the association would continue to appreciate Umahi for his steadfastness in seeking to propagate the hospitality the Igbos are known for, notwithstanding the daunting challenges he was facing. (NAN)