Jos
— The Plateau State branch of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders
Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has written Governor Simon Bako Lalong
over renewed activities of cattle rustlers who they alleged had in the
past few months rustled over 1,600 cattle at gun point.
The letter signed
by MACBAN State Chairman, Muhammad Nuru Abdullahi and the Secretary,
Abdullahi Ardo, said from January to date, 1,653 cows had been rustled
but said efforts of men of the Operation Safe Heaven (OPSH) had led to
the recovery of 18 cows.
The letter noted
that 62 cows were yet to be recovered, adding that the rustlers in most
instances killed the herders before moving the cattle into Fan and
Foron, two communities they described as "notorious cattle rustling
warehouses."
The letter
recounted that when 13 cows were rustled in February and the herder was
killed, security agents had traced the cattle to Kanakon village of Fan
district but that the community attacked both the cattle owner and
security agents when they identified the cattle.
It further stated
that the latest incident happened on May 5 when seven Berom youths armed
with AK 47 rifles rustled 45 cows while they were grazing around Ndig
village into Foron. Efforts of OPSH of sector 7 led to the discovery of
two cows which were slaughtered and the meat was shared among the Berom.
As a result of that, an emergency meeting called by the Sector 7
commander with the Berom community of Fan and Foron and the pressure
mounted on the traditional rulers led to the return of 19 out of the 45
cows to the OPSH Commander.
The Governor's
Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPA), Samuel Emmanuel Nanle,
yesterday said the government was aware of the return of cattle
rustling, saying the matter was discussed during the last security
council meeting.
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