By Joseph Edegbo :
As claims and counter claims of atrocities between the Atyap community and Fulani Pastoralists continue in Southern Kaduna, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association ( MACBAN) Kaduna State has alleged that Atyap youth in Southern Kaduna are bent on exterminating the Fulani and their Cattle in the area.
The leadership of MACBAN therefore appealed to the government and security agencies to come to their rescue.
The Association which expressed dismay over the resurgence of violence in that part of Southern Kaduna Senatorial Zone, enjoined Fulani pastoralists to however remain calm and law abiding.
Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Haruna Usman Tugga, in statement, explained that “as we are all aware, there was consistent efforts by Communities, NGOs and the Government of thestate to ensure peace and Security, especially in the Southern Senatorial Zone. As a result of these efforts,the area was witnessing relative peace.”
” We therefore thought that the much desired peace and mutual understanding in the Southern Senatorial District of Kaduna State between Fulani Pastoralists, and other tribes will be sustained. “
“In spite of their efforts in so many communities, Zango – kataf Atyap (Kataf) Chiefdom in particular has always been a dangerous flash point as the brutalities against the Fulani Pastoralists continued unabated.”
“However, that does not mean that there are no incidents and reports of various inhumanities deployed against our people is not happening in other sections of Southern Kaduna.”
“Sadly , from the middle of last year to the present day, those working against peace began to ignite violent atrocities on the Fulani Pastoralists, which has now led to the death of many people, particularly in Atyap (Kataf) Chiefdom of Zango -Kataf and Kagoro Chiefdom of Kaura Local Government Areas.”
“The origin of the violence is the premeditated and coordinated attacks on Fulani. It is quite revealing to bring to the notice of all Stakeholders, peace-based association, the governments and importantly, the Security Agencies their levels of premeditated and coordinated of attacks and infirming brought against our members. Presenting the levels of primitive in adverse in time and dates, the examples below are among many of such records.”
“On 24th of January, 2022, at Kizaga Village in Kauru Local Government Area two(2) Fulani Herders were attacked by some armed Kataf youth from Kurmin- Masara village of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area.”
“They were killed instantly and one was beheaded in person of (Ya’u Abubakar Twenty 20 years) old while the remains of Adamu Usman Thirty(30) years) old was later found within the area. They also advanced to the houses of the Fulanis and burnt down several houses to ashes while also killing a one year old Baby Boy (Bilal Bukar) who was in one of the burnt houses.”
” On 29th January, 2022, In Gankon village of Gora District, armed Atyap (Kataf) youths attacked a 19 year old Boy Zakari Laulo who was rearing his cows andlynched him to death.”
“On 22nd January, 2022, 8 Cows of Alhaji Momarwa died after drinking poisoned water in the village of Zunuruk in Jema’a Local Government Area respectively.On the 25th January, 2022, a young and innocent Aminu Dahiru was attacked and killed instantly in the same village of Zunuruk. After Killing him they attacked 41 cows.”
“On the same 25th January, the Kagoro youth, advanced forward to attack two innocent youths Abubakar Musa and Adamu Para were severely injured and they were treated at Kafanchan General Hospital.”
“Primitively, on 31st January, 2022, one Aminu Ahmad, a young family man went to supervise his cattle on the hills of Kagoro but went missing within theaxis of Tson-Jei and Kukum Gida in Kagoro Chiefdom.”
“On 1st February, 2022, (16) belonging to Alhaji Momarwa were shot dead at Tson-jei village by the same Kagoro youths. The whereabout of 22 cows is yet to be known. On 2nd February, 2022, twelve(12) cows were discovered killed in the village of Tson-jei belonging to Alhaji Momarwa.”
“Our prayers: We are appealing to the pastoralists communities to remain calm and be law abiding.We are appealing to the Kaduna State Government and Security Agencies torise up to their Constitutional responsibilities by investigating and fishing out the perpetrators of these crimes against the citizens.”
“We are similarly appealing to all the peace loving people affected in the affected areas to put all their hands on deck in order to restore”, the statement concludes.
Just on Monday, the Atyap community in Southern Kaduna, North West Nigeria, accused security agents deployed to the area of not doing enough to justify their supposed mission.
The National President, Atyap Community Development Association, Comrade Samuel Achie told newsmen that despite the presence of security personnel, “under their noses, the enemies of peace perpetuate their heinous crimes against the peace loving people”.
“If the perpetrators are declared terrorists by government, why are these people moving about with AK-47 in the presence of the military deployed there, he queried.