The Kaduna State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has accused some military personnel and local government officials of complicity in what it described as the “targeted killing and persecution” of Fulani herders in Southern Kaduna.
In a strongly worded statement titled “A Betrayal of Justice,” signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdulhamid Musa Albarka, and made available to Arewa PUNCH, the association condemned what it called a “recurring pattern of violence, injustice, and betrayal” against its members in the region.
According to MACBAN, the latest incident occurred on September 28, 2025, when four herders — Suleiman Idris, Yusuf Abdullahi, Hamidu Dauda, and Ibrahim Hassan — were ambushed by armed militias at Tanda Village in Jema’a Local Government Area while attempting to access an old cattle route allegedly blocked by local groups.
The association alleged that the attack was premeditated and unprovoked.
“Their only ‘offence’ was questioning why their long-established cattle route had been unlawfully blocked,” the statement read.
MACBAN said Suleiman Idris was killed in cold blood, while Yusuf Abdullahi, Hamidu Dauda, and Ibrahim Hassan sustained severe and permanent injuries. The victims’ cattle, described as their families’ only means of sustenance, were scattered into the wilderness following the attack.
“This was not a misunderstanding or a spontaneous clash,” Albarka said. “It was a deliberate, premeditated assault on innocent and unarmed citizens — a calculated act aimed at annihilating their community and livelihood.”
The association also accused the Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Council, Hon. Peter Tanko Dogara, of interfering with police investigations and frustrating efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
According to the group, while the Divisional Police Officer in Kafanchan made commendable attempts to arrest those responsible, the alleged interference by the council chairman amounted to “a gross abuse of office and a subversion of justice.”
“It is regrettable that the chairman failed to visit the victims or condole with the bereaved families,” the statement said.
“His indifference and bias are unbecoming of a public official. This local conspiracy has eroded public confidence and jeopardised the peace-building efforts of His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani.”
MACBAN further accused some officers within the military’s Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) — responsible for security in parts of Southern Kaduna and Plateau State — of negligence and dereliction of duty.
The association claimed that commanders ignored intelligence warnings about rising tensions in Tanda and failed to deploy troops despite reports of possible attacks on Fulani settlements.
“This omission directly enabled the murder of Suleiman Idris and the grievous wounding of others,” the statement noted.
“Such conduct is not only a dereliction of duty but a betrayal of the constitutional mandate to protect all citizens without discrimination. When soldiers turn a blind eye to violence, justice dies, and faith in national institutions collapses.”
In a direct reference to the Chief of Defence Staff, who hails from the region, Albarka questioned what he described as “the persistent silence, selective response, and absence of accountability” in addressing the killings.
“Leadership in such a sensitive role demands not only competence but perceived fairness and balance,” he said. “The Defence Headquarters must reassess its posture in Southern Kaduna to dispel growing suspicions of sectional loyalty.”
MACBAN issued a list of demands to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani, and the Federal Government, calling for urgent investigations and far-reaching security reforms.
To President Tinubu, the association demanded the constitution of a judicial panel of inquiry to probe the killings and alleged complicity of local officials and security operatives. It also urged a comprehensive review of the national security architecture, especially the OPSH command structure, to ensure fairness and accountability.
“We urge the President to reprimand, redeploy, or retire any security officers whose actions or inactions have contributed to the escalation of violence in Southern Kaduna,” the group stated.
MACBAN also called on Governor Uba Sani to suspend the Jema’a council chairman, Peter Tanko Dogara, pending the outcome of an investigation into his alleged obstruction of justice.
“To His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, we urge you to reinforce the peace and reconciliation frameworks you have initiated to restore confidence among all communities,” the statement added.
The association further demanded the deployment of adequate security personnel to protect vulnerable settlements, the disarmament of armed militias, and compensation for victims’ families.
“The peace initiative of Governor Uba Sani is being sabotaged by rogue officials and compromised commanders whose silence perpetuates division,” MACBAN said.
“We reaffirm our commitment to peace and dialogue, but we insist that peace cannot be built on the graves of the innocent. Justice must prevail, or the fragile peace in Kaduna will disintegrate beyond repair.”
