Miyetti Allah Not A Criminal Association, MACBAN Tells Ortom

Following the attack on Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Saturday by suspected herders, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has distanced itself from the assassination attempt.

The MACBAN in a statement on Monday by its Secretary-General, Usman Baba-Ngelzerma said the group was not a criminal association.

AllNews had reported that Ortom on Saturday said suspected herdsmen numbering about 15 attacked him in his farm at Tyo-Mu community, near Makurdi, the state capital.

Meanwhile, Ortom attributed the attack to his campaign against killer herdsmen, who had been attacking farmers in the state and other parts of the country.

Ortom had also alleged that MACBAN met in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, recently and came up with an agenda to eliminate him.

“I was alarmed for singling me out as the only person who is creating a problem for the entire Fulani race and behind the scenes, I also heard that in the meeting, I was targeted for elimination.

This was the information I got that they will go after me either in my home, farm or wherever they get me,” the governor had alleged in a statement after the attack.

Responding to the allegation, MACBAN secretary-general said, “First, we have to condemn the attack. Then, secondly, if there was an attack, that must be a criminal activity that must be directed to the security agencies for proper investigation.

READ ALSO: NGF Demand Arrest, Prosecution Of Ortom’s Attackers

“As far as we are concerned, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has never had a meeting anywhere in Adamawa State because I read on social media that there was a meeting in Adamawa State where that arrangement was made. My association did not have any meeting in Adamawa State.

“Our association is not a criminal association, we don’t know anything about any attack anywhere. If there was an attack, let the security agencies find out who attacked him. That is the proper channel to be followed, you don’t politicise criminality.

"Crime is a crime by whomever. Let the security agencies fish out the perpetrators of the act.” 

However, a Fulani group identified as Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) has claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack on the convoy of Ortom.

FUNAM said it planned to kill Ortom on Saturday, but its plan suffered a setback due to a slight communication error.