MACBAN Insists on Herders’ Deaths in Nasarawa Bombing
On Friday, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) reiterated its claim that herders, not terrorists, were the victims of the air raid that took place in Nasarawa State’s Doma Local Government Area.
According to reports, the incident on January 24 resulted in the deaths of at least 39 herders, with several others sustaining injuries.
Both Reuters and Human Rights Watch had previously accused the Nigerian Air Force of causing the deaths of innocent civilians during the operation. In response, on Thursday, the Nigerian Air Force challenged anyone making such accusations to provide evidence to support their claims.
Air Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, maintained that terrorists, not herders, were the casualties of the operation. He emphasized that the airstrike was conducted based on extensive intelligence and surveillance.
Air Commodore Famuyiwa further stated that the burden of proof rests with MACBAN and other parties accusing the Air Force, as they possess the evidence supporting their claims.
In a conversation with a correspondent on Friday, Baba Ngelzarma, the National President of MACBAN, affirmed that the association possesses evidence to substantiate the assertion that those killed in the airstrike were indeed herders.
Ngelzarma added, “All that we know is that those that were bombed are pastoralists who went to Benue to retrieve their cows. Their burial; a mass burial was done for those killed which had in attendance the deputy governor of Nasarawa, the Emir of Doma, and the commissioner of police.
“Some of the victims who sustained injuries during the airstrike can speak to this. The people that were killed were pastoralists. If they are looking for evidence we have them with us. We have their pictures and their names.”
He said herders’ associations in the country would do everything within their reach to ensure justice was dispensed in the matter.
“We are doing all we can do to get justice and we will not allow this to be swept under the carpet,” he said.
