April 23, (THEWILL) – The South East Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, has said that ten members of the association were kidnapped on Saturday by gunmen.
Siddiki, who disclosed the development to newsmen in Awka, also said three hundred (300) cows were rustled by the gunmen, who attacked a Fulani settlement, in Obene community, Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State.
He said the Cattle herders were attacked around 1:30 am on Saturday, at their settlement, while their animals were forcefully taken away by gunmen numbering over 40.
Siddiki, however, disclosed that the kidnappers have established contact with their victims’ families, demanding four million naira and one gun as ransom.
“As I speak to you now, I have reported the incident to the Police and DSS for prompt action”, he said.
He appeals to the kidnappers to release his members and their cows, stressing that those kidnapped are mere strugglers.
Siddiki condemned the politicisation of the herdsmen and host communities’ conflict across the country, noting that the herdsmen were always accused of a crime, even in situations where they were the victims of attack.
Siddiki cited instances where criminals disguised in Fulani attires to commit crimes in some states like Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, southern Kaduna and Anambra in order to give the herdsmen a bad name.
He blamed the face-off between herdsmen, farmers and host communities on a lack of accurate communication by the concerned authorities.
According the MACBAN boss, most conflicts can be averted if dialogue and proper conflict management skills are established in the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Siddiki, however, commended the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for initiating a peace and reconciliation committee to address the security challenges in the state and the South East region at large, with a view to achieving real solutions.
He reiterated that the MACBAN under his watch in the South East, South-South regions will continue to preach unity and peace among Nigerians irrespective of their Tribe, Ethnicity and Religion placement.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, who confirmed the incident, urged the leadership of Miyetti Allah in the state to come up with more information that would enable the Police to commence investigation into the incident.
“Yes, we are aware of the incident, but we want the Miyetti Allah leadership to supply us with more information since the Kidnappers have established ransom contact with the victims’ families”, he said.
He assured that the Command under CP Echeng Echeng and other security agencies in the state, will do everything possible to rescue the victims from their abductors.
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