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Tag: Miyetti Allah

  • Miyettti Allah denies hoisting red flag in Ekiti

    Miyettti Allah denies hoisting red flag in Ekiti

    Fulani Herders under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has denied claim that its members were behind the red flag hoisted at Orin Ekiti, in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

    The Head of Miyetti Allah in Ido/ Osi council, Alhaji Adamu Abashe, spoke in Ado Ekiti on Friday during a consultative forum between Orin community and herders resident in Ido /Orin axis to resolve the lingering crisis between the cattle rearers and some aggrieved farmers.

    The community had on December 18, last year raised the alarm over alleged intention to annex its land by suspected herdsmen, alleging that the red flag hoisted by the herders in Orin Farmstead was a signal that a portion of the community had been forcefully captured.

    Debunking the allegations, Abashe said: “We didn’t know how the flags got there. We were not responsible. We have lived in Orin Ekiti for over 30 years. We have been living together peacefully but in recent times, things have changed.

    ”When I was kidnapped, I did not say Orin people were responsible, because we are brothers. It was after my kidnap that the kidnappers came to kill a Tiv woman in that farmstead.

    ”When they kidnapped my labourer, I paid N300,000 as ransom and I didn’t say Orin people were behind it. I was not happy with the killings and destruction in Orin. So, we are not planning evil for these people that had lived peacefully with us”

    Abashe added that those fermenting trouble in the area were herders from the Northern states and not those that are resident in Ekiti

    “Those perpetrating killings and destruction of farmlands in Orin are outsiders from the North but with efforts coming from government, Orin community and Fulani people, all these issues will be resolved.

    ”Orin people are not my enemies but the bandits roaring in the town caused this disagreement. But If you have anything against me, kindly forgive me. Let us live together as brothers,” he pleaded.

    But despite the appeal by Fulani leader, the people of Orin Ekiti insisted that Abashe and his people must vacate their community where they live.

    Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr. Omotosho Kayode, insisted that Fulani herders were allegedly responsible for killings, hoisting of the flags and destruction of farms worth over N50 million in the town.

    ”Two years ago, they hoisted one white flag with red linen and 15 days after, a pregnant Tiv woman and our kinsman, Mr. Emmanuel Ilori were killed last year and these scenarios may not allow us to allow Fulani herders to live with us.

    ”These people are giving us a lot of discomforts. We appeal to Ekiti government to ask them to leave. We don’t want Fulani on our land anymore. We are peaceful people . We don’t want Orin Ekiti to be known for negative news”.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brigadier Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana, advised the warring parties to tolerate each other in the interest of peace.

    ”The essence of this discussion is how we can live together peacefully. We also want to fashion out how all the herders coming into Ekiti are identified and accepted . We have lived together for so many years and we will continue to live together as a family.

    ”If anybody commits crime, we should be able to identify him . Some persons had been killing, destroying farms and hoisted flags at Orin Ekiti and wrote keep off on it. We want to investigate who were behind that. Government won’t fold its arms and allow these to continue.

    “We want to work out some conditions to control cattle -farmers’ relations , so that we can live in peace. Continue to tolerate yourselves until truce is reached on this issue. Every Nigerian can live anywhere, but there are owners of the land and settlers and the two must learn how to respect one another,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Information Commissioner, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua, said peace is key to Governor Kayode Fayemi-led government, urging the two parties to sheathe their swords and see themselves one.

    Olumilua, however, directed the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to keep in its custody, the cows arrested by the its Agro-Rangers unit pending the resolution of the crisis.

  • Miyetti Allah bans night grazing nationwide

    Miyetti Allah bans night grazing nationwide

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has announced a nationwide ban on night grazing.

    According to the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, (MACBAN)’s annual general meeting in Damaturu, the decision is aimed at reducing the clash between herdsmen and farmers.

    Speaking to newsmen at the end of the meeting, MACBAN’s National Secretary Baba Uthman said the decision will be conveyed to every member of the group.

    He said; “This is a decision that has been taken by the highest decision making body of the association. As it is taken here, it will go down the ladder down to our members at the grassroots. They will be informed and sensitized concerning it.”

    A ban on grazing by minors and hawking of milk by teenage girls was announced by the Fulani group. According to the group, such activities endangers minors and lead to cultural abuses.

  • We feel at home in Southeast – Miyetti Allah

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) on Wednesday said its members feel at home in the Southeast.

    It praised the Southeast governors for ensuring a peaceful co-existence.

    Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, in a Christmas message in Awka, the Anambra State capital, urged his members to maintain peaceful relationship with their hosts regardless of religious differences.

    According to him, Islam encourages greeting non-Muslims on their holidays, and that it was in line with the noble manners of Prophet Muhammad.

    He said: “Islam acknowledges the principle of peaceful coexistence with all people, regardless of their faith,” he said.

    Siddiki said the Southeast governors have demonstrated a commitment to a united Nigeria.

    “We appreciate the governors of the five Southeast states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo for the bold expression of their belief in one Nigeria.

    “They have made their domains places where Nigerians are at liberty to legitimately ply their trade despite not being indigenes.

    “We also appreciate the governors for individually and collectively accommodating our members in their states and for listening to them.

    “This is particularly at very trying moments this year when the unruly activities of criminals in the wild tended to lead to a blanket demonisation of herdsmen.”

    MACBAN also commended traditional rulers, religious leaders, the Police and other stakeholders for their commitment to harmonious coexistence among herders and their host communities.

    “On behalf of MACBAN in the zone, we heartily felicitate with our brothers and sisters of Igbo extraction, particularly those in our major host communities on the celebration of Christmas,” it added.

  • Benue killings: Miyetti Allah apologises to Ortom

    Benue killings: Miyetti Allah apologises to Ortom

    The Fulani socio-cultural organization, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has apologized to Governor Samuel Ortom, over herdsmen attacks and killings in the state.

    National Secretary of the association, Engr. Saleh Alhassan, who spoke today in Makurdi during a peace initiative brokered by the Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyeama, expressed regrets over the killings and pledged to ensure peaceful coexistence between herdsmen and farmers in the state.

    He described Governor Ortom as a peace-loving man who stood firmly for the emancipation of his people. He said members of the group would embrace the peace initiatives put forward by the Governor.

    Responding, Governor Ortom said the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law by Benue State Government was to end the killing of innocent people and encourage ranching as the global best practice of animal husbandry.

    He stated that any person or ethnic group wishing to rear livestock in the state was free to come, acquire land and ranch according to provisions of the ranching law of the state.

    The Governor noted that the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law protects both farmers and livestock owners, adding that legislation was not meant to promote crisis of any kind.

    Chief Onyeama had earlier emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders in Benue State, saying he personally brought Alhaji Saleh to broker peace between Miyetti Allah groups and the people of the state.

  • Miyetti Allah constitutes 15-member committee to fish out criminals among its members

    Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Nasarawara chapter has constituted a 15-man committee to fish out criminal elements among its members.

    Its chairman, Mohammed Hussaini, disclosed this during a meeting with Fulanis on Saturday in Keana Local Government Area of the state.

    According to him, the decision to constitute the committee was necessitated by the activities of some bad elements among members of the association.

    He said that the association would no longer fold its arms and allow some bad and unpatriotic elements to drag the name of the entire Fulani race to the mud.

    “All hands must be on deck to support the committee to fish out the bad elements among us in order to ensure peace in the state.

    “There cannot be any meaningful development in the society without peace, hence our decision to contribute to the peace process,” he said.

    He called on the public especially the Fulanis to support the committee to enable it succeed in the interest of peace and development of the state.

    Also speaking, Adamu Giza, Chairman, Keana local government area commended the leadership of Miyetti Allah in the state for their efforts in ensuring that peace return to the area.

    He promised to support the committee with office accommodation and other logistics to enable it succeed in its assignment.

    Capt. Emmanuel Igwe, the Army Commandant in the area said that the military was in the area to ensure peace.

    He added that they were not in the area for any particular tribe or religion but to protect all people irrespective of differences.

    Igwe called on aggrieved persons to report to them or any other security agency than taking the law into their hands.

  • Kogi guber: Miyetti Allah endorses Yahaya Bello

    Kogi guber: Miyetti Allah endorses Yahaya Bello

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has adopted Gov. Yahaya Bello as its candidate for the forthcoming Nov. 16 governorship election in the state.

    The National Organising Secretary of the group, Alhaji Aliyu Saleh, who made the declaration at a news conference in Lokoja on Saturday, directed Fulanis in the state to immediately embark on Ruga-to-Ruga campaign for the re-election of Bello.

    Saleh said that the group decided to support the governor for providing a secure environment for Fulanis to operate in the state.

    “We are also supporting the governor for approving free Contagious Bovine Plurol Pheneumonia (CBPP) vaccination for over 23, 000 cows belonging to our members in the state ,” he said.

    The group also commended Bello for putting in place measures which had led to a reduction in clashes between farmers and herders in the state.

    It also stated that the governor had given its members a sense of belonging by appointing one of them into his cabinet and by making their leaders members of the traditional councils at the state and local government levels.

    The national organising secretary, who was flanked by the state Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Umaru Jaido, also said that they decided to endorse Bello’s candidature because of their love for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Abubakar Ohere, who received the endorsement document on behalf of the governor, thanked the group for adopting Bello as its candidate.

    Ohere described Gov. Bello as a leader with a large heart, saying that his priority had always been to provide security for all, irrespective of tribe and religion.

    He said that Bello decided to include Fulani leaders in the traditional council to reduce communal clash, especially between farmers and herders.

    While thanking the association for the endorsement, the commissioner said the gesture would propel Bello to do more for the people of the state.

  • Controversy over Miyetti Allah’s vigilante group in Ondo

    Controversy yesterday broke out over the involvement of the Fulani Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria known as Miyetti Allah in a joint patrol with men of the State Police Command on the Federal Highways in Ondo State.

    A human rights lawyer, Mr Kayode Ajulo, who met the Fulani Vigilante Group on his way to Abuja on Sunday, alleged that the group armed with guns and cutlasses were on joint patrol with the police.

    But the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Femi Joseph, said the Police Command was not aware of any Vigilante Group that is patrolling the highways in the state Joseph said there are some local vigilantes working with the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in different divisions in the state in order to stamp out criminal activities in the state. Ajulo, who spoke about his encounter with gun wielding men said his encounter with the Vigilante Group should not be politicized.
    Ajulo, who spoke with newsmen said: “If it comes to issue of security, we must secure our lives and properties. When it comes to politics, it is something else. We should not mix security with politics.
    “I was in Ondo State on Friday till Sunday because my mother was given chieftaincy title as Iya Ijo of Anglican Church in Akoko. On our way back, we got to Erusu, Igashi and around Akoko Southeast.

    That is where we saw these Fulani men carrying gun and cutlass. And I remember when we had Aare Ona Kakanfo meeting; I happen to be the Mayegun Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland and we said anybody we see with gun must be accosted to know what they are doing with gun. “I accosted and I challenged them what they were doing with gun. Those people told me they were not armed robbers or kidnappers; they said they are Miyetti Allah Vigilante Group. The next question I asked them is what are you doing on the main road? They said they are in joint patrol with the Police.
    I asked where those Policemen who you are in joint patrol with are. They said the policemen were not around and that they were still coming. “I was really mad. By the time I made some calls, some policemen later joined us. From my understanding, they have been there for long. But my worry is that if there is Fulani Vigilante Group, where are the locals? Like I tell people, killing has been taking place everywhere. It should not lead to politics.”
    However, the state government, through its Information Commissioner, Mr Donald Ojogo, said it was not aware of armed Vigilante Group and has not issued any identity cards to ethnic group in the state. Ojogo said the government, having been unaware of any such identity card carrying persons in the name of a vigilante group, has directed security agencies to get to the root of the matter and apprehend any such person or group of persons operating in that manner.
    Ojogo in a statement said: “The Ondo State Government observes with concern trending pictures of identity card carrying men identified as Fulani vigilante in the Akoko area of the state. Various claims have been as regards the activities, duties as well as supposed mandate of these men in question.
    “It is pertinent to recall that at the height of the incessant kidnap cases, the Ondo State Government took some far reaching drastic measure which included a marching order to the law abiding Hausa Fulani leadership in the area to fish out criminal elements among them, who took advantage of the rosy relationship between the indigenes and their law-abiding guests.

  • Killings: Call your violent members to order, CAN tells Miyetti-Allah

    Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Thursday urged the leadership of the Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to call their members who are violent to order.
    The President, CAN, Dr Samson Ayokunle, who made the call at a news conference in Abuja, said until they were called to order they cannot regain the trust and respect of Nigerians.
    The cleric explained that nobody hates the Fulani until some Fulani began to act violently and killing innocent people.
    CAN said that if there was any enemy from any Fulani man, the Fulani man created the enemy for himself, they have been living peacefully for many years in our various communities, till the killing issues started.
    ”In those days, our children married them, they married our children, but when they became too violent and started carrying AK47, killing people, what type of play is that? that’s a dangerous play.
    ”We can no longer think we are friends with that type of play it’s too dangerous, so let them call their people to order and ensure that they remove the enmity they have created around an average Fulani person,” he said.
    He challenged their leaders to call out the violent ones among them to order, that is the only way people will respect them and people can trust them again.
    Ayokunle also charged the government to step up its security system across the country with a view to stopping the unending killings.
    He further said that the association had taken it stands in the alleged rape case against the founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Pastor Abiodun Fatoyinbo.
    He noted that the allegation no matter how bad it may be, remains an allegation until proven otherwise, that is until it is properly investigated and we have a truth to hold onto.
    ”We have told you without mincing words that we will never support immorality in whatever form, it is alien to the culture of the church, to the teachings of Christ.
    ”And there is no pulpit that I know in Nigeria that the members are taught immorality, but we will not condemn until we have reasons to condemn, let the panel come out with the result let’s know what the truth is.
    ”I told you in the press release we issued that we have given the right to Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), because we don’t deal with individual churches, we deal with blocs.
    ”We have directed PFN, an arm of a bloc, which is also large enough to investigate that matter. I am telling you under God that PFN has set up that panel and that panel had been given two weeks within which to submit its report,
    ”Not only that, the two individuals involved have been invited by the committee and we are assuring them that nothing will be covered,” he said.

  • Collaborate with us to end farmers, herders conflicts in Nigeria, Miyetti Allah tells CAN

    Leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have called for the collaboration of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in uniting the different religious groups in the country for peaceful resolution of the farmers-herders’ conflicts.
    The National Secretary of MACBAN, Baba Ngelzarma, made the call in his remark during the delegation of the association’s courtesy visit to the National leadership of CAN on Wednesday in Abuja.
    Ngelzarma said that the cattle breeders association sought partnership with CAN to demonstrate its desire toward peace and mutual resolution of the lingering conflicts.
    “MACBAN wishes to request the partnership of CAN in uniting the different religious groups in the country for peaceful resolution of the farmers-herders conflicts.
    “We should unite against hatred and support all government initiatives toward solving the conflict.”
    He said that MACBAN acknowledged the increasing tension between farmers and its members in the last five years due to scarcity of pasture over grazing reserve as a result of climate change.
    Ngelzarma said that MACBAN was duly aware of the effort by the Federal Government in conjunction with state governors to address the farmers-herders conflicts through the 10-year National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) 2019 to 2028.
    He said that the association had embraced the plan fully and had already trained her national and state executives on negotiation, peace building and conflicts prevention in preparation for the plan.
    The national secretary said that MACBAN recognised the need to partner government to modernise livestock production as proposed in the NLTP.
    “We believe the 10 years plan will guarantee efficient time for pastoralists to learn new techniques of Livestock production.
    “MACBAN will require that government implements the plan as designed in order to assist the pastoralists through proper extension services and training over the plan period to properly learn how to manage livestock efficiently.
    “Both MACBAN and the umbrella body of farmers, AFAN, benefited in training organised by the Presidency on peace-building and conflict resolution.
    Ngelzarma said that MACBAN also looked forward to more engagement with CAN as a body and other stakeholders in the Nigerian project.
    “We seek the cooperation of CAN to be part of our National Campaign to reorient our youth to fear the Almighty, inculcate values of hardwork, empathy and being our brothers keeper irrespective of their faith.”
    He said that pastoralists had lived peacefully for ages with different nationalities and had learned to resolve their quarrels peacefully.
    He, however, noted that the media were making it look like the pastoralists were perpetually at war with other communities.
    “Like all other communities we have our bad eggs and we have not relented in fishing them out all across the country.
    “We have been to Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Katsina, Oyo and now Zamfara to assist in resolving conflicts with our members.
    “We are grateful with the level of understanding and cooperation we have received from the state governments in resolving some of these security issues.”
    He said that as part of effort to address the farmers-herders conflicts, MACBAN had resolved to embark on a number of stakeholder engagements which it began with the leadership of CAN.
    The engagements according to him include a summit that would involve people from all walks of live as well as multiple engagements with the media at various levels across the country.
    Ngelzarma, who condemned the killing of Mrs Funke Olakunri, the daughter of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, urged Nigerians to desist from politicising the killing.
    He also urged Nigerians to desist from dressing it in ethnic garb and allow the security to do its work.
    “We are also reaffirming our call on the Police and other security agencies to do all they can to get to the root of this dastardly killing and ensure diligent prosecution of any individual or group found to have had a hand in the incident.”
    Ngelzarma said that MACBAN as a responsible association did not condone criminals and criminalities within or outside the association but ever willing to assist the security in ensuring peace reigned.
    He denied the allegation on the social media that the association donated N3 billion to a candidate of a political party in Akwa Ibom in exchange for the establishment of cattle colonies in the state.
    In his response, the National Chairman of CAN, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, urged all Nigerians to be prayerful for the plan of the devil for the country not to be achieved.
    “I will urge all of us to be prayerful because I see the devil at work, provoking men to do things that are very odd, things that for years ago you cannot think can happen in Nigeria.
    “Devil is at work and it will make us to be fighting ourselves. If we are not careful we with not be able to chase him out.
    “It is with our collectivity that we can chase the devil away.”
    Ayokunlec commended MACBAN for the call for collaboration, pledging that CAN would discuss the proposal and get back to the association.
    “We have received your move with appreciation, we will sit down articulate it to be well informed on all these proposal you have raised,” he said.
    Also at the event was the National President of MACBAN, Muhammadu Kirowa, and other national leaders of both CAN and MACBAN.

  • Olakunrin: Denounce your membership of Miyetti Allah or resign as Nigeria's president, Onitiri tells Buhari

    The Lagos Central senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections, Chief Sunbo Onitiri has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to either stick to his membership of Miyetti Allah group and resign as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or retain his position and openly denounce his membership of the Miyetti Allah group.
    Onitiri said this on Sunday in a statement sent to TNG.
    Onitiri’s statement is coming in the wake of the murder of the daughter of the pan Yoruba cultural group, Afenifere; Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
    The late Mrs. Funke Olakunrin was on Friday evening murdered in cold blood allegedly by Fulani herdsmen. The murder has generated national outrage and President Muhammadu Buhari had since ordered security agencies to fish out the killers.
    Read full statement below:
    RESIGN NOW AS MEMBER OF MIYETTALLAH OR RESIGN AS PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA AND DECLARE FULANI KILLER HERDSMEN A TERRORIST GROUP.
    I wish to implore President Buhari to disown and immediately resign as a member of the dreaded Miyett Allah group or resign as President of Nigeria as membership of such dreaded group is in conflict with the constitutional role of protecting lives and properties of Nigerians.
    You would all recall that on May 29th 2019 PMB openly swore on oath before all Nigerians to protect all Nigerians and defend the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria. As we speak The security of all Nigerians is totally being compromised and it’s in imminent danger.
    The terrorist Fulani killer Herdsmen have laid siege on our highways and forests with our security agencies looking the other way. The bandits not only kidnap but open fire on innocent and defenceless Nigerians.
    The imminent question that comes to mind is do we have our Security agencies on the side of Nigerians? Then how come that these bandits get away with the mindless killings they unleashed on hapless Nigerians. The killing of Mrs Funke Olakunrin is a death too many. It is an affront on the women fold, an affront on all defenceless people of Nigeria which we should all rise to condemn and call to question the loyalty of our so called Nigerian Army. We have spent our huge resources on our security agencies and till today they take a lion share of our annual budget. Is this what we pay for?.
    The primary duty of every responsible government is to protect the lives and properties of its citizens . You would all agree with me that this government has failed woefully in combating the Boko Haram, kidnappers, Fulani killer Herdsmen and other bandits. The insecurity in our country has worsen since PMB took over. We heard that the killer Fulani Herdsmen have organised cells in the South West, South East and South South asides their already well established cells in the North. This means that the Fulanisation of Nigeria is almost complete. Nigeria is under siege while our security agencies look the other way.
    We stand on the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria and call on President Buhari to declare Fulani killer Herdsmen a Terrorist Group and wipe out all its cells in our highways and forests. Nigeria is not home to all Fulanis in Africa. The Jihad must stop. Enough of killings of innocent Nigerians.