Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, on Tuesday claimed that military men conducting an airstrike against bandits and other terrorists have killed over 500 cows.
This was stated by the MACBAN Acting Chairman in Nasarawa State, Bala Dabo.
According to him, 500 cows have been killed during military ongoing operations in the Kuduku community of the Keana Local Government Area and some other parts of the Doma Local Government Area.
He alleged that two military aircraft were deployed to the Fulani settlement with bomb-throwing and killing several cows.
He added that the operation was a deliberate plan to erase the Fulani men following the anti-open grazing law passed by some state’s governments in the country.
“The anti-grazing law in Benue State is meant to force the Fulani into extinction. We appeal to the Federal Government to rise up to the challenge and salvage our people.
“There is no justification for gunships to come to Nasarawa territory and kill cows. We are peace-loving people and not troublemakers.”
“The cows are our source of livelihood. We are in pain at the moment and we are calling for help from Nigerians. We had just returned from grazing when the aircraft came and killed them around 6pm on Sunday.
“The cows killed were between 450 and 500. Some of them got injured. There are some of the cows that ran into the bush and up till now, we are still looking for them. About 200 cows are missing at the moment. I also got information that the herdsmen controlling the cows were also affected by the bombs thrown by the military.”
Reacting to his claim, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dogo Shammah, said the claim could not be verified but promised to investigate the matter.