The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the umbrella body for herdsmen, has called on President Bola Tinubu to protect herdsmen across the country.
Naijaonpoint reported herdsmen attacks on farming communities across Nigeria, including in Bassa and Bokkos of Plateau State, Uzo-Uwani and Isi-uzo of Enugu State, Ukum and Agatu of Benue State, among other communities.
In Bassa, at least 51 residents were killed last Sunday night by herdsmen. The attack came two weeks after 52 residents of Bokkos were killed by herdsmen.
In a statement on Friday, MACBAN’s National Secretary-General, Bello Gotomo, said its members had been wrongly profiled.
Gotomo called on the federal government to end all forms of alleged discriminatory practices against herdsmen in the country.
MACBAN told the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to implement concrete measures to address the alleged ethnic profiling, stigmatisation and scapegoating of pastoralists.
“The Nigerian government must ensure accountability, justice and protection for all citizens regardless of ethnicity,” he said.
Gotomo stated that the arrest of some herdsmen at Opere Market in Kabba local government area of Kogi State was unlawful, inhuman treatment and unjust profiling.
“Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria calls on the federal government, the National Human Rights Commission and the international community to urgently intervene,” he stated.