From Magnus Eze, Enugu
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said that it was difficult for them to adhere strictly to the anti-open grazing law enacted in some South East States.
This is as the group alleged that their members and their cattle had been attacked in pasts of Enugu and Anambra States in recent weeks.
National Deputy Director General of MACBAN and leader of the group in the southeast, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki who spoke in Enugu, on the heels of the recent bloody attack on Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani, Enugu State, by suspected herders, said their members were not criminals.
He explained that the anti-open grazing law made by the previous government in Enugu State was against their business and that they made their position known to the former administration.
“The government in the South East has not asked us to leave their place. So, the law is affecting our business and we made that known to government especially in Enugu.
“We don’t allow anybody to infiltrate us in the South East. Whenever we see strangers or suspicious persons, we apprehend and hand them over to Police. It’s the police that do the investigation and confirm whether they are criminals or not.”
Siddiki also condemned what he called the unfounded blanket accusations levelled against their members in certain areas of the region.
“We appeal to the government of the South East and the leaders of our host communities to recognise us as strategic stakeholders and refrain from unfounded attribution of wrongdoing to every herdsman out there. We implore them to support us in times of need and instruct their security forces to discern between genuine pastoralists and criminal elements masquerading as such.
“It is our steadfast commitment to uphold the peace and coexistence we have long enjoyed with our host communities,” he stated.