The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) on Monday denied insinuations in.some quarters that it was involved in the assassination attempt on Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, by suspected gunmen on Saturday.
MACBAN Secretary-General, MACBAN, Usman Baba-Ngelzerma said the group had no reason to engage in such dastardly act.
While noting that MACBAN was not a criminal association, Baba-Ngelzerma said those making unguarded utterances should desist from such and allow security agencies to do their job of unraveling those behind the attack.
Governor Ortom had on Saturday said suspected herdsmen numbering about 15 attacked him in his farm at Tyo-Mu community, near Makurdi.
He attributed the attack to his campaign against killer herdsmen, who had been attacking farmers in the state and other parts of the country.
Ortom had also alleged that MACBAN met in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, recently and came up with an agenda to eliminate him.
“I was alarmed for singling me out as the only person who is creating problem for the entire Fulani race and behind the scenes, I also heard that in the meeting, I was targeted for elimination. This was the information I got that they will go after me either in my home, farm or wherever they get me,” the governor had alleged in a statement after the attack.
Reacting to the claims, MACBAN secretary-general said, “First, we have to condemn the attack. Then, secondly, if there was an attack, that must be a criminal activity which must be directed to the security agencies for proper investigation.”
“As far as we are concerned, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has never had meeting anywhere in Adamawa State because I read on social media that there was a meeting in Adamawa State where that arrangement was made. My association did not have any meeting in Adamawa State.
“Our association is not a criminal association, we don’t know anything about any attack anywhere. If there was an attack, let the security agencies find out who attacked him. That is the proper channel to be followed, you don’t politicise criminality. Crime is a crime by whomever. Let the security agencies fish out the perpetrators of the act,” Baba-Ngelzerma added.
This Post: MACBAN denies involvement in assassination attempt on Ortom was approved and published by Ancity Media Editor and may not be republished elsewhere without prior written permission from the Editor.
