By Salisu Sani-Idris
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has described the killing of 27 pastoralists in an ‘airstrike’ in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa as a war crime that must be investigated.
MACBAN spokesperson, Malam Muhammad Abdullahi, said this while explaining how the herders were bombed to death shortly after they paid N29 million to Benue State Government to retrieve their seized cattle.
Abdullahi said the herders and their cattle were killed as they were returning from Nasarawa from Benue State.
He therefore called on National Human Rights Commission to set up the panel to probe the killing.
He said the commission should constitute a panel of inquiry to find out on whose authority the aircraft was used and punish the culprits.
According to the MACBAN spokesperson, the bombing to death of the pastoralists in Nasarawa is the third time herders and their cattle will be killed in attacks by aircraft in recent times.
He said before now, pastoralists and livestock in have also been bombed in Benue and Taraba states.
“The Pastoralists went to Makurdi earlier in the day to retrieve their 1,250 livestock, earlier impounded by the Benue State livestock guards, after paying a fine of N29 million.
“The trucks carrying the livestock were closely monitored and waited until it reached its destination before unleashing the armed drone on pastoralists who were waiting to collect their livestock.
“These pastoralists are bona fide Nigerians and have rights like every other citizen and therefore must be protected under the law,” he said.
The Police Command in Nasarawa State, on Thursday confirmed the alleged killing of 27 pastoralists in an ‘airstrike’ in Doma Local Government Area of the State.
DSP Ramhan Nansel, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the development and casualty figure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia, the state capital.
