The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has revealed that the recent massacre by suspected herdsmen in three local government areas in Plateau State was a reprisal attack.
According to Guardian, the Chairman of North-Central Zone of the association, Danladi Ciroma disclosed that the gruesome attacks on Riyom, Jos South and Barkin Ladi LGAs were retaliatory attacks after the herdsmen lost almost 300 cows in different communities of the state.
Mr. Danladi said: “These attacks are retaliatory. As much as I don’t support the killing of a human being, the truth must be told that those who carried out the attacks must be on a revenge mission.”
He explained that there had been unreported cases of cow rustling between by people in the affected communities. He claimed these acts were frustrating the efforts of the Plateau State governor Simon Lalong to ensure lasting peace in the State.
He further accused the communities of shielding the alleged cow thieves and attacking security officials who wanted to arrest them.
He said: “The people carrying out these criminal activities are well known to the communities but the communities are hiding them. Fulani herdsmen have lost about 300 cows in the last few weeks – 94 cows were rustled by armed Berom youths in Fan village, another 36 cows were killed by Berom youths. In addition to that, 174 cattle were rustled and the criminals disappeared with them to Mangu.”
Photo Credit: Getty
