The Kebbi State Chapter of Fulani Umbrella body, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has distanced itself from the recent killings in Kebbi State.
The group also condemned the killing of six indigenous Fulani and the destruction of 185 settlements and 42-grain silos in a reprisal attack.
MACBAN said the attack was carried out by the volunteers’ security known as Yansa Kai following the killing of 15 persons in Mera last Friday.
While absolving the Fulani of any involvement in the Mera attack, the secretary of MACBAN in the state, Abubakar Lamido, in a statement disclosed that the terror group known as Larukawa has been terrorising pastoralists through forceful taxation called (Zakat), and sometimes confiscated their animals and collected money ranging from N300,000 to N20m,120 cows, 51 goats and sheep from Fulani cattle rearers in the Augie area of the state.
“Lakurawa are hardened criminals, and should be treated as such. We are not associated with them. We are worst affected by their illegalities,” it said.
The association added that members of the terror group are international criminals, and have been moving freely with sophisticated weapons around Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, and around Nigeria and Niger Republic borders.
MACBAN appealed for urgent support and assistance from relevant authorities for the victims of the reprisal attack, saying they had lost foodstuff they harvested, shelter and cattle.
They also called on the government to investigate the matter and apprehend the culprits.