Miyetti Allah, the association of Fulani herdsmen has reacted to the recent killings in the north-central, and the accusations against it.
In a statement just released, Miyetti Allah condemned violence in any form, and claimed it is the group on the receiving end of the attacks.
It called the anti-open grazing laws in Benue and Taraba as ‘draconian’ and accused the states of sponsoring ethnic militia against its people and livestock.
Miyetti also claims it has lost more than 1000 people 2 million cattle.
But the group admits the presence of ‘criminally motivated elements’ within its community and says they do not represent Miyetti.
It wants the federal government to create a ministry of Livestock Development and set up a commission of inquiry into the killings.
Cattle should not have attracted such a great premium as to AK 47 wielding Fulani herdsmen to be licensed to engage in unrestricted and unchallenged massacres all over the place. There has never been any reported arrest since the beginning of this unabated criminal ethnic cleansing. Of what use is an enquiry going to serve? Whose purpose is the Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association proposed Commission going to serve? Must cattle colonies be created by government for private Fulani herdsmen in non-Fulani communities by forcefully decimating the indigenous population? What stops them from assisting law enforcement agencies to arrest those “Criminally motivated elements” within their group if there is sincerity in the press conference?