The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Benue State Chapter, has distanced itself from the attack and massacre of innocent people in Otukpo Nobi, Otukpo Local Government Area, in the state.
According to reports, the incident took place in the early hours of Sunday and claimed the lives of around 16 people.
Residents of the neighborhood said that armed herders carried out the attack.
Angered by the tragedy, youths and women stormed Ochidoma’s palace in protest, bringing the victims’ bodies.
However, in a statement released on Monday by MACBAN’s state secretary, Ibrahim Galma, and made accessible to media in Makurdi, the association denounced the attack and fatalities.
Galma urged the public to refrain from linking the incident to Fulani herders without a proper investigation by security agencies.
While stating that no Fulani had been living in Otukpo and its environs since last year, he alleged that Otukpo Nobi and other neighboring communities had existing communal disputes.
The statement read in part, “It is important for the public to note that all Fulani residents in Otukpo and its environs were forcefully evicted from the area sometime last year.
“This included their community leader in Otukpo, Chairman Yenusa, who left the state immediately after all efforts to restore peace in Otukpo failed following that incident.
“Secondly, it has come to our notice that Otukpo-Nobi and other communities in the same area, such as Okete, Amla-Icho, and Otada, already have pending communal clashes.”
The association also called on the public not to link the incident to a reprisal attack over the killing of its chairman, Ardo Risku, a few days earlier.
“Making such conclusions at this stage will only compromise the ongoing investigation being carried out by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies,” Galma said.
While urging its members and the general public to be calm and law-abiding as security services investigate the event, the MACBAN scribe also requested authorities to monitor social media debates, saying that inflammatory remarks might exacerbate tensions and damage peace efforts.
The group prayed for the repose of the martyrs’ souls and the restoration of peace in Otukpo and Benue State.
