The Taraba State government has described the
recent claim by the state chapter of the Miyetti Allah
Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria that 50 of its
members were killed in fresh attacks as complete
falsehood and “a ploy to shield its members who are
strongly believed to have carried out attacks”.
The state chapter of the association reportedly said
that at least 50 of its members were killed in the
current crisis between herdsmen and Ndoro people
in Gashaka Local Government Area of the state.



Media and Publicity, Silvanus Giwa, who faulted the
claim in Abuja yesterday in a statement said: “The
claim by the leadership of Miyetti Allah was a
mockery of the victims of the recent attacks by
suspected Fulani herdsmen who allegedly carried
sophisticated weapons and used same to unleash
terror on harmless and innocent people of Dori,
Maisuma, Angai and Fali villages in Gashaka and
parts of Kurmi Local Government Areas of the state.”
Giwa said the chairman of the Miyetti Allah, who
addressed a news conference in Jalingo on the
incident, failed to present evidence (photographs) of
his members that were killed in the crisis.

“The police and the state government, on the other
hand, presented gory photographs of the victims to
buttress every point on the matter. Therefore looking
at the scenario, one would know who is telling lies to
cause more harm than good in this matter,” Giwa
said.

He said it was disheartening for the chairman, who
is a civilian, to “assume the position of a security
chieftain by suggesting which measures should be
adopted by the commissioner of police on how
people believed to be culpable in the crisis should be
treated “simply because his member, one Ardo
Ayuba, was arrested in connection with the crisis.
“According to intelligence gathered, the crisis started
in the area when some suspected herdsmen killed a
woman believed to be Ndoro by tribe when she
resisted rape on her farm. This is contrary to what
Miyetti Allah said,” Giwa’s statement reads.
He said the state government, under the leadership
of Darius Ishaku, was determined to bring the
perpetrators of the act to book, with a view to
ensuring peace.
“Since he assumed office, Governor Darius Dickson
Ishaku has continued to emphasise the need for
harmony and peaceful coexistence among the
various communities in the state,” Giwa said.

Source: Daily Trust