The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) is urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to ensure justice for pastoralists who, according to reports, fell victim to a military air strike in Rukubi, Doma Chiefdom, Nasarawa State, on January 27, 2023.
In a statement released in Abuja and signed by MACBAN’s National President, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, on Wednesday, the organization called on the Federal Government to establish a clear compensation package for all victims of similar attacks across the nation.
Othman-Ngelzarma also appealed to the military to exercise caution while carrying out their constitutional duties of protecting and preserving the nation’s unity. He expressed concern over the alleged drone strike by the Nigerian Air Force, claiming that victims were reportedly killed while offloading livestock retrieved from the Benue livestock guard after paying a fine of N29 million.
“To justify the victims’ innocence, it was on record that they were publicly buried in the presence of Nasarawa State officials, Royal fathers, and thousands of sympathizers. Those killed were bona fide, peace-loving Nigerians, deserving justice like every other citizen,” Othman-Ngelzarma emphasized.
Expressing disappointment, he noted that the Tudun Biri drone strike is receiving significant attention, not only from the Federal Government but also from the military, which has taken responsibility and promised compensation for the victims.
“The leadership of the Northern Governors forum and that of the federal legislative arm of the Government have, in addition to visiting the site, pledged all sorts of assistance. We, therefore, call on the Federal Government to extend the same gesture to the victims of the Rukubi drone attack and similar incidents in other states,” he added.
Othman-Ngelzarma concluded by emphasizing the urgency for the Federal Government to formulate a comprehensive compensation package for victims of such incidents nationwide. “We believe now is the time for the Federal Government to come out with a clear-cut compensation package for victims of such incidents across the nation,” he said.
