The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of
Nigeria (MACBAN) has condemned what it termed ‘blanket criminalisation’ of
herdsmen in the country.
The group said there were still good people among
them, and that people should not take advantage of the infiltration of the
group by some criminal elements to label all herdsmen killers.
The Chairman of MACBAN, South-east Zone, Alhaji
Gidado Siddiki, stated this in the Ed el Kabir goodwill message he signed and made
available to journalists in Anambra State.
According to him, "As I invite everyone in the
celebration of Id el Kabir, I sincerely plead for better understanding in
information peddling to avoid the often misinformation, half-truths and
outright falsehood that the gullible public are often fed with.
"I plead with the governments, traditional and
religious leaders as well as other influential groups in the South-east region not
to relent in their advocacy for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians wherever
they choose to live and do their legitimate businesses.
"I plead for truthfulness, fairness and
restraints in information management to avoid tendencies of unfair blanket
criminalisation of any group of people.”
Siddiki said he advocated that criminals, wherever
they are identified, should be made to face the full wrath of the laws of the
land, and that the safety of the citizens is the primary commitment of the government;
“it should be so in our country.”
The group appreciated the government and people of
the region for providing them “the opportunity to successfully do our business
in the geopolitical zone.”
It added: "I wish to use this privilege to
pray for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians. I wish to pray for improved
peace and understanding between our host communities (Southeast) and our
herdsmen who are genuinely engaged in the business of cattle rearing in this part
of Nigeria.
"I most heartily share the warm goodwill message
of Id el Kabir to the entire Muslim Ummah, the government and good people of
Southeast.”
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