Macban chairman in the southeast says most criminals are not Fulani but locals and from other ethnic groups

FULANI herdsmen's body the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (Macban) has said that its members are not responsible for the killings and kidnappings taking place across the southeast blaming in on local criminals.

Over recent years, Macban's members have been accused of being responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent Nigerians as heavily-armed Fulani herdsmen have ransacked villages in a violent orgy. President Buhari has come under fierce criticism for not clamping down on Macban amid claims that he is sympathetic to their cause being an ethnic Fulani himself who also owns cattle.

Of late, criminals like kidnappers, armed robbers, rapists and bandits have capitalised on the violence, operating as herdsmen, dressing up as Fulanis to hide their true identities. Alhaji Siddiki Gidado, the Macban chairman in the southeast geo-political zone, claimed that non-Fulani bandits are responsible for most if the killings and kidnappings that take place across the region.

Alhaji Gidado stated that although there might be few bad eggs among the Fulani, most of the kidnappings and killings could be attributed to other cattle rearers. These he said include Shua Arabs, Kanuri, Igbo, Tiv and Jukun, who he noted, normally dress like Fulani and commit such offences.

“In every tribe, you have bad eggs and when some evil acts are carried out, the entire tribe is made to take the blame. Most killings are attributed to Fulani when they are not the culprits,” Alhaji Gidado said.