Assassination: We Are Not Criminals, MACBAN Tells Ortom

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Monday, March 22nd, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has refuted claims that it is responsible for the assassination attempt on Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, by gunmen on Saturday.

It had reported that gunmen suspected to be herdsmen had on Saturday attacked the governor in his farm at Tyo-Mu community, near Makurdi, the state capital.

The Secretary-General, MACBAN, Usman Baba-Ngelzerma, stated that the group was not a criminal association

Also, Ortom had also alleged that MACBAN met in Yola, Adamawa recently and discussed on how to eliminate him

“I was alarmed for singling me out as the only person who is creating problems 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,” Governor Ortom had said

However, while speaking on Monday, the 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 a 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”