Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has refuted allegations of land grabbing leveled against the Fulani people by the Berom Youth-Moulders Association, BYM, and other bodies across the state.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday by the State MACBAN Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, the group described the allegations as unfounded as it has not been proven that Fulani people are involved in land grabbing in any part of the state.
In the statement titled “Counter claims on allegations of land grabbing against Fulani communities in Plateau State,” MACBAN said the allegations have been concocted to set up the Fulani community in the state for attacks and elimination by ethnic militia groups.
“The attention of the Fulani pastoral communities in Plateau State has been drawn to the repeated allegations accusing Fulani herders of land grabbing across some parts of the State. We wish to categorically state that such claims are misleading, one-sided, and deliberately ignore the painful realities faced by Fulani communities over the years,” the statement reads.
Continuing, Babayo said:
“For decades, Fulani settlements and grazing communities in several parts of Plateau State, especially in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South Local Government Areas, have suffered repeated attacks, forceful displacement, destruction of homes, and confiscation of properties.”
The MACBAN Chairman, however, lamented that contrary to widely held speculations, the Fulani community has been the ones who have suffered great losses including lives and their livestock.
“Many Fulani families who lived peacefully in these areas for generations have been chased away from their ancestral settlements and grazing locations due to recurring violence and insecurity,” Babayo said.
“Communities and settlements that once accommodated Fulani pastoralists have today become deserted because of persistent attacks and threats to lives. Thousands of cattle have been rustled or killed, houses burnt, and innocent women and children displaced without any form of compensation or justice.
“It is therefore unfair and hypocritical for certain groups to continue accusing Fulani communities of land grabbing while ignoring the reality that Fulani themselves have lost vast portions of land, homes, and livelihoods across Plateau State.
“We wish to emphasize that the Fulani people are law-abiding citizens of Nigeria who have constitutional rights to live and conduct lawful businesses anywhere in the country.
“Peaceful coexistence has always remained our priority, and we strongly believe that lasting peace can only be achieved through justice, fairness, mutual respect, and honest dialogue among all communities.
“We call on the Plateau State government, security agencies, traditional leaders, and all stakeholders to avoid one-sided narratives capable of worsening tensions. Every community affected by the crisis deserves equal protection, justice, and a fair hearing irrespective of tribe or religion.
“We further urge all parties to desist from inflammatory statements and unfounded accusations that may jeopardize ongoing peace efforts in Plateau State,” he further stated.
