MACBAN sets to expose criminals among herders

By Agatha Eze

The Chairman, Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria MACBAN, Southeast Zone, Alhaji Gidado Saddiki says the organization will not hesitate to expose any Herder whose  acts are sugestive of  crime to the law enforcement agents.

Alhaji Saddiki  made this known in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital during their zonal Joint Executive Council monthly meeting.

He said MACBAN of the zone has started taking responsibility of all damages done on the farmlands of their host Communities to ensure peaceful coexistence between Herders and farmers.

He expressed joy over the commitments of Southeast Governors  to ensure that the zone is peaceful.

  "The leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria South East Zone is encouraged by the commitment of the Governments and a good number of the people of the South East in fostering harmonious relationship between our herders and the natives. We shall continue to show unmitigated commitment in interfacing with the Governments and relevant authorities in the South East pursuant to greater understanding between our people and their landlords".

"We shall continue to canvass best practices in cattle rearing amongst our people intended to stem frictions with the natives. We shall continue to improve on our communication structure to enable effective communication lines between herders in their different localities and relevant authorities/quarters when need arises". He explained.

He said MACBAN has resolved that minors should not be grazing without the assistance of adult(s) .

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"We recommend that our children should not be allowed to tend cattle in public spaces or anywhere for that matter; they should be encouraged to go to school, and if they must be out rearing they must be duly guided by adult(s) in their company.  We join in the condemnation of night grazing, as it gives room for possible damage to farms and some other locations unwelcoming to cattle

The Chairman however plead with the State Governments in the South East to allow movement of cattles on the High ways at night, provided our people are conscious of and respectful of the inalienable rights of other road users in such  hours. 

Similarly, the Chairman of MACBAN Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria , Alhaji Usman Ishiaku said he has constituted Committee comprising all the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders in all the States that shared boundaries with Ebonyi State to make sure that no strange herder enters the State without the knowledge of MACBAN in the State.

Also, the Secretary MACBAN,  in the State, Sani Inusa thanked Ebonyi State Governor Engineer David Umahi for his relentless efforts to end Herders/farmers crisis in the State.