Plateau MACBAN accuses ‘Mangu militias’ of killing three herders, 50 cows

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, based in Plateau State, has accused a group of local gangs, referred to as "Mangu militias," of murdering three herders and 50 cattle in separate incidents in the Aloghom community of Mangu Local Government Area. The organization's chairman, Ibrahim Babayo, disclosed the details in a statement on Sunday, stating that the attacks took place on Saturday while the victims were grazing their cattle peacefully in a designated grazing area, without any provocation.

The herders were tending to their cattle when the assailants suddenly emerged, firing randomly. Babayo provided the names of the deceased - Garzali Shaibu, 18; Bashiru Yakubu, 14; and Salim Abubakar, 15. He described the attack as vicious and lethal, claiming it was part of a calculated effort to target Fulani herders and undermine their livelihood in Plateau State.

Babayo has alerted security agencies, including the Department of State Services and Operation Safe Haven, a military-led security force responsible for maintaining peace in Plateau State and parts of neighboring states. The MACBAN chairman urged Fulani communities in the state to remain calm and refrain from taking matters into their own hands, emphasizing that security forces have been informed about the situation.

He called on all security agencies in the state to investigate the perpetrators and ensure justice for the victims, emphasizing that this is one too many incidents of its kind.