Following the Nasarawa airstrike, according to MACBAN, Buhari and the military are mute.
The military and the federal government’s silence following the deaths of more than 40 pastoralists and butchers in Nasarawa State has been criticised by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
The body seeks an explanation for the “apparently purposeful killings” in Rukubi village, which is part of the Doma Local Government Area, according to a statement released on Saturday by the public relations officer, Muhammad Abdullahi.
According to MACBAN, the authorities’ response to the incident on January 25th was deplorable and showed a disregard for the lives lost by common Nigerians.
After paying a N29 million fine, the deceased travelled to Makurdi earlier in the day to reclaim their 1,250 cows that had been seized by the Benue State livestock guards.
The Benue government and the members of Makurdi-based Operation Whirl Stroke, according to Abdullahi, “deployed an aircraft or drone that killed the innocent pastoralists,” and they “are victims of heavy handedness.”
If nothing else, we anticipate the President expressing sympathy to the families of those who died in this horrific murder.
This is the third shelling to hit Rukubi in a year, according to MACBAN, which cited earlier “bombing of pastoralists and livestock in Nasarawa, Benue, and Taraba States.”
“The latest killings constitute a war crime, and an investigative panel must be established to determine under whose authority the drone or aircraft was used and to punish the offenders.”
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The vehicles transporting the animals “were constantly monitored till they reached the destination before the armed drone was launched,” according to MACBAN, which asserts it holds the Benue administration accountable.
The leadership of the herders thought it was dishonourable that “the president was enjoying a state banquet in Katsina State when people were being killed.”
Abdullahi emphasised that those who died were legitimate citizens whose fundamental human rights were recognised by the Constitution and who needed their rights to be protected.
“Losing one life is tragic enough, let alone taking over 40 innocent lives all at once.” This is a heinous crime against humanity that must be condemned.
The National Human Rights Commission was encouraged in the statement to look into this case and others involving aerial attacks by the Air Force in Nasarawa.
