The Kaduna State Chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has accused some military personnel and local government officials of complicity in what it described as the “targeted killing and persecution” of Fulani herders in Southern Kaduna.

In a strongly-worded statement titled: “A Betrayal of Justice” and signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdulhamid Musa Albarka, and made available to Arewa PUNCH, the association condemned what it called “a recurring pattern of violence, injustice, and betrayal” against its members in the area.

MACBAN alleged that on September 28, 2025, four herders, identified as Suleiman Idris, Yusuf Abdullahi, Hamidu Dauda, and Ibrahim Hassan — were ambushed by armed militias at Tanda Village in Jema’a Local Government Area, while trying to access an old cattle route allegedly blocked by local groups.

According to the group, the attack was premeditated and unprovoked.

“Their only ‘offence’ was questioning why their long-established cattle route had been unlawfully blocked.

“In the ensuing violence, Suleiman Idris was brutally murdered in cold blood, while Yusuf Abdullahi, Hamidu Dauda, and Ibrahim Hassan sustained severe and permanent injuries,” the statement read.

The association said the victims’ cattle, described as “the only means of sustenance for their families,” were scattered into the wilderness after the attack.

“This was not a misunderstanding or a spontaneous clash,” Albarka said, while adding that, “It was a deliberate, premeditated assault on innocent and unarmed citizens — a calculated act aimed at annihilating their community and livelihood.”

MACBAN also accused the Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Council, Hon. Peter Tanko Dogara, of allegedly interfering with police investigations and frustrating efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The group claimed that while the Divisional Police Officer in Kafanchan had made commendable attempts to arrest those responsible, the council chairman’s alleged interference “amounted to a gross abuse of office and a subversion of justice.”

The statement read further: “It is regrettable that the chairman failed to visit the victims or condole with the bereaved families.”

Albarka insisted, “His indifference and bias are unbecoming of a public official. This local conspiracy has eroded public confidence and jeopardized the peace-building efforts of His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, whose administration has shown commitment to reconciliation and dialogue.”

The association went further to accuse some officers within the military’s Operation Safe Haven, which is responsible for security in parts of Southern Kaduna and Plateau State of negligence and dereliction of duty.

MACBAN alleged that security commanders ignored warnings of rising tension in Tanda and failed to deploy troops despite intelligence reports about possible attacks on Fulani settlements.

“This omission directly enabled the murder of Suleiman Idris and the grievous wounding of others,” the statement stressed.

“Such conduct is not only a dereliction of duty but a betrayal of the constitutional mandate to protect all citizens without discrimination. When soldiers turn a blind eye to violence, justice dies, and faith in national institutions collapses.”

In a direct reference to the Chief of Defence Staff, who hails from the region, the association questioned what it called “the persistent silence, selective response, and absence of accountability” in addressing such killings.

“Leadership in such a sensitive role demands not only competence but perceived fairness and balance. The Defence Headquarters must reassess its posture in Southern Kaduna to dispel growing suspicions of sectional loyalty,” Albarka maintained.

He urged the Presidency and the National Security Council to ensure that no officer allows ethnic or personal affiliations to influence security operations.

MACBAN issued a list of demands to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, and the federal government, calling for urgent investigations and security reforms.

To President Tinubu, the association demanded the constitution of a judicial panel of inquiry to probe the killings and the alleged complicity of local officials and security operatives. It also called for a comprehensive review of the national security architecture, particularly the OPSH command structure, to ensure fairness and accountability.

Thus, the group further urged the President to “reprimand, redeploy, or retire” any security officers whose actions or inactions had contributed to the escalation of violence in Southern Kaduna.

MACBAN also called on Governor Uba Sani to suspend the Jema’a council chairman, Peter Tanko Dogara, pending the outcome of an investigation into his alleged role in obstructing justice.

“To His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, we urge you to reinforce the peace and reconciliation frameworks you have initiated to restore confidence among all communities,” the statement added.

The association equally demanded adequate deployment of security personnel to protect vulnerable settlements, disarmament of armed militias in the area, and compensation for the families of victims.

“The peace initiative of Governor Uba Sani is being sabotaged by rogue officials and compromised commanders whose silence perpetuates division,” MACBAN said.

“We reaffirm our commitment to peace and dialogue, but we insist that peace cannot be built on the graves of the innocent. Justice must prevail, or the fragile peace in Kaduna will disintegrate beyond repair,” Albarka declared. (The PUNCH)