Nasarawa Governor fears reprisal killings over MACBAN’S chief’s death, sends out warning

Nasarawa state Governor, Abdullahi Sule has warned against reprisal attacks, following the gruesome murder of Mohammed Hussein, the State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN) and the Toto local government area Chairman, Mohammed Umar.

Hussein and Umar were assassinated by yet to be identified persons in Garaku, Kokona Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Sule’s warning was contained in a statement on Saturday in Lafia by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ibrahim Addra.

The governor said the criminal elements that eliminated the duo would be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to those who choose to disturb the peace of the state.

Sule, speaking at the funeral prayers for the late State Chairman MACBAN, affirmed that his government would not spare any criminal element in the state.

He, however, urged those bent on breaching the peace enjoyed in the state to turn a new leaf for the development of the society.

The governor condoled with sympathizers who thronged the residence of the diseased, expressing sadness over his demise, but cautioned against reprisal attacks capable of worsening the situation.

He called on the family of the deceased take solace in God while assuring that his administration will continue to work hard at ensuring adequate security of lives and property in the state.

Recall that the Police Public Relation Officer, Nasarawa state command ASP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the attack on Saturday.

He said: “On 2nd April, 2021 at about 1930hrs, information was received that unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits attacked and killed one Mohammed Hussaini, the Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Nasarawa State and Mohammed Umar, the Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Toto LGA at Garaku market.”

According to him, the command upon receipt of the information, immediately deployed Operation Puff Adder II personnel to the scene where the two corpses were recovered and deposited at Anthony Memorial Hospital, Garaku.

Nasarawa Police boss, Commissioner Bola Longe, called on members of the public to volunteer useful information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the evil act, assuring that any information provided to the command would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

The MACBAN chief in Nasarawa state was part of the Community Safety and Humanitarian Security Committee recently inaugurated by Governor Abdullahi Sule in Government House, Lafia to collaborate with the federal government committee aimed at addressing persistent killings across the state and the country at large.

▪︎ Additional report by National Update