The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has strongly refuted claims circulating that Fulani groups are plotting attacks in certain communities across Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Bokkos, and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
In a press statement issued in Jos, the state capital, and signed by MACBAN’s Plateau State chairman, Yusuf Ibrahim Babayo, the association dismissed the allegations as baseless and misleading.
“The Fulani community in Plateau State has been made aware of a viral statement alleging that we are planning attacks on certain communities in Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas,” the statement read.
Babayo further clarified: “The statement falsely claims that we held meetings at various locations, including a mosque in Mahanga, to coordinate these attacks during Ramadan.”
Expressing strong disapproval of the claims, MACBAN described them as an attempt to malign the Fulani community.
“We condemn these spurious and unsubstantiated allegations in the strongest terms. These baseless accusations undermine our integrity, perpetuate harmful stereotypes, and stigmatize our community,” the statement continued.
According to MACBAN, the allegations appear to be a diversion aimed at enabling attacks on their own people.
“We believe these allegations are deliberately fabricated to distract security agents and enable attacks on our communities.”
Calling on security agencies to ensure the safety of their members, the group urged authorities to investigate the claims thoroughly.
“In light of this, we demand that security agencies provide protection to our communities, as we fear for our safety,” Babayo stated.
He also appealed to key security officials, including the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, as well as the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, to take action.
“As law-abiding citizens, we call on the GOC 3 Division and Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, and the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, to investigate these allegations so as to uncover the truth.”
Concluding the statement, MACBAN emphasized that the allegations were a deliberate attempt to destabilize the state and expressed confidence in the security agencies’ ability to maintain peace.
“We are confident that the perpetrators aim to disrupt the peace in the state. Given the current security situation, we trust that the leadership of Operation Safe Haven will continue to work towards maintaining the peace in the state,” Babayo maintained.
