In anticipation of the dry season when pastoralists typically move to southern regions in search of greener pastures for their herds, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has taken steps to secure its members and prevent infiltration by criminals masquerading as cattle breeders in the Southeast. This announcement was made by Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, the National Deputy Director General of MACBAN, following a critical meeting of Miyetti Allah leaders in neighboring states such as Kogi, Benue, Anambra, and other Southeastern states.
Siddiki emphasized the association’s commitment to building trust and fostering positive relationships between its members and the communities they reside in. He highlighted the importance of vigilance among herdsmen living in the South East to prevent infiltration by nefarious individuals posing as herdsmen, who have been involved in criminal activities.
“As the dry season approaches, pastoralists will migrate to green areas in search of greener pastures for their herds. I enjoin our people, herdsmen, who live in the South East to be conscious of their environment and avoid infiltrations by marauders who parade themselves as herdsmen and attract bad names to us by their nefarious acts.”
Siddiki also expressed a strong desire to further promote confidence-building and harmonious coexistence between herdsmen and their host communities, particularly in border areas in Enugu, Kogi, and Anambra states.
“I passionately enjoin our people to brace up towards the consolidation of our move to actualize confidence building for harmonious coexistence between our people and their host communities. This is pursuant to ensuring cordiality, harmony, and security in the border communities in Enugu, Kogi, and Anambra states.”
The MACBAN leader acknowledged that there are political forces aiming to demonize their members for their own political gains, which may hinder mutual accommodation among Nigerians. However, he expressed a commitment to productive dialogues that are taking place at Uzo Uwani LGA.
Siddiki further raised concerns about “anti-dialogue forces” allegedly using thugs to attack MACBAN members, causing harm to their children and cattle with the intention of provoking retaliation and escalating the crisis.
“Realizing the danger in succumbing to this plot, we have warned our members not to take laws into their hands but rather to report any aggression/provocation to our leadership who in turn will forward the same to the appropriate authorities for justice to be done.”
MACBAN, as the voice of the herdsmen in Nigeria and the South East, expressed its dedication to the well-being of its members while not undermining the broader interests of the region’s geopolitical environment.
Siddiki extended gratitude to Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for his inclusive policy in developing a functional security plan for the state, and he pledged the group’s unwavering support for the governor.
“We in Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) represent the voice of the herdsmen in Nigeria and the South East. We duly canvas the well-being of the members without undermining the macroeconomic interest of their larger geopolitical environment.”
