Insecurity has overtaken farmer-herder crisis in Benue South – MACBAN

By Peter Duru The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has expressed deep concern over what it described as escalating killings, attacks and cattle rustling across Benue South Senatorial District, saying the violence has gone beyond the traditional farmer-herder conflict and now reflects organised criminality.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the association’s Secretary, Ibrahim Galma, MACBAN condemned the wave of violence in the area and urged the Benue State Government, security agencies and traditional institutions to take immediate steps to halt the bloodshed and restore peace.

Among its recommendations, MACBAN urged the state government to establish a joint peace and security committee comprising representatives of Idoma, Igede, Agatu and Fulani communities, strengthen security deployment in the affected areas, convene an emergency stakeholders’ peace summit and ensure thorough investigation and prosecution of all those responsible for the attacks.