The Mzough U Tiv, MUT, Ochetoha K’Idoma, OKI, and Omi Ny’Igede leaders of the three main tribes in Benue State have urged the federal government of Nigeria to label Miyetti Allah groups as terrorist organizations.Additionally, the leaders demand the detention of Miyetti Allah leaders who have made provocative statements regarding the Benue Fulani herdsmen killings.
The leaders, as stated in a document that was signed by Iorbee Ihagh, the worldwide Chairman and President General of MUT;the retired AVM Tony Adokwu, President General of OKI;Ben Okpa, President-General of ONI, made the initial observation that the recent military action to clear the forests in Nasarawa State, a neighboring state, of bandits who had been repeatedly invading Benue communities deserved praise.
They stated, “It is anticipated that the move would no doubt bring to an end, or at least reduce the activities of bandits, thereby restoring normalcy to some troubled spots in Nasarawa, Benue, and other states of the country.” This was in reference to some troubled areas in the country.
“However, we are saddened that some groups in Nasarawa State, such as the Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, are unhappy with this laudable operation that the federal government started in Nasarawa State through the military.
“We declare categorically that anyone opposed to the military’s move to eliminate the terrorists from Nasarawa is a suspect and ought to be treated as a terrorist because they might be working with the bandits,” the statement reads.It is in this vein that we approach the national government to pronounce MACBAN and other herders’ gatherings like MACBAN as psychological oppressors.”
“Suffice it to say that our people are still in shock that despite the fact that some herders’ groups in the country have admitted to some of the killings and also made inflammatory statements about the killings in Benue, none of them have been arrested or asked to answer questions.
“It is one of the reasons why we are reiterating our call on the Federal Government to also arrest the leadership of Myetti Allah Kautal Hore over their utterances regarding the killings in Benue and other parts of the country,” the statement reads.