…say loss of life toll now 47, 62 injured
The Coalition of Pastoralists Association has stated the variety of its members killed through the accidental airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force in Nasarawa has risen to 47, whereas no fewer than 62 members sustained varied levels of accidents.
The affiliation which is an umbrella organisation of pastoralists’ teams in Nigeria additionally accused the army of finishing up related airstrikes on armless herders in Keana and Awe In Doma native authorities space of Nasarawa State, including that troopers final 12 months killed their members in Kaduna.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday in Abuja on behalf of the Coalition, the National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Baba Ngelzarma; Vice President, Tabbital Pulaaku International Nigeria Chapter, Auwal Googa; Secretary, Farmers and Hunters Initiative for Peace and Development, Musa Usman amongst others slammed the army, federal, and Benue State governments for his or her failure to commiserate with the household of the deceased per week after the ill-fated incident.
They stated, “Apart from the latest bombardment of Tuesday, January 24, 2023, in Akwanaja, there have been related airstrikes on harmless herders in Keana and Awe In Doma LGAs of Nasarawa State.
“The latest airstrikes at Akwanaja village of Rukubi Ward, Doma LGA of Nasarawa have killed no less than 32 Fulani herders, 15 Hausa drivers, and truck boys whereas offloading cattle. Another 62 sustained varied levels of accidents, some life-threatening. Before the incident, the Benue State Livestock Guards had raided and confiscated 1,254 cows at Rukubi, Nasarawa-Benue border communities in Doma LGA of the state.
“The guards insisted that the herders ought to pay hefty penalties operating to thousands and thousands of naira. A negotiated ransom of N27,000,000 was agreed between the Fulani homeowners of the confiscated cattle and the Benue State authorities. The herders obtained a mortgage from industrial banks. Apart from this, on December 3, 2022, troopers killed harmless pastoralists in Rugan Waziri, at Rafin Sarkin Fatika village.
“One week after the tragedy neither the Federal Government, military nor the Benue State government deemed it appropriate to even offer a word of explanation or consolation. We, on behalf of the victims of these bombardments, demand the immediate admittance of responsibility by the Nigerian military, unreserved apology, and condolences to the families of the deceased pastoralists.”
Source: punchng.com
