We‘ll expose killer herders in Rivers, Miyetti Allah chair assures Wike

Worried by the spate of reported cases of attacks on farmers by herdsmen across states, Rivers state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACABAN), Alhaji Yau Musa has vowed to expose any such person in the state.

The chairman disclosed this Monday in an interview with journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, saying henceforth the association will intensify efforts to monitor and handle operational problems between cattle breeders and their host communities specifically in the areas of criminal attacks and cattle rustling.

Yau noted that the organised cattle breeders association has existed in the statewith their different host communities especially in Eleme local government area, in last 53 years without challenges, stressing that there is no criminal record against the breeders but recent reported cases of attacks across the country has necessitated the need to make its position known to the public.

“Our Association in Rivers state is not in a position to speak for herdsmen in other states of the country but we here in Rivers State operate in peace and harmony among its host communities whose members are 90% rural farmers.

“The current trend of herdsmen allegedly attacking farmers in some parts of the states in the country is alien to us because we Fulani cattle breeders and farmers in different parts of Nigeria have been co-existing as brothers over the decades without rancor and criminal counter allegations.

“We appeal to the security agencies especially the police in the state to ensure that they effect arrest of any real herdsman or anybody in disguise as herdsman who attacks a farmer or community,” he stated.