MACBAN chairman shot in targeted attack in Plateau
The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Langai Ward, Alhaji Yakubu, was reportedly shot during an attack by gunmen in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. The incident was first reported in a statement by security expert Zagazola Makama on Sunday.
Makama indicated that preliminary information suggests the attackers may be associated with a Mwaghavul militia group. However, the identities of the assailants and the specifics of the event have yet to be verified independently.
This shooting contributes to escalating security concerns in Mangu, where incidents of attacks, cattle rustling, and retaliatory violence have heightened tensions between farming and herding communities. Residents continue to face increased risks of violence, loss of property, and displacement, complicating efforts to rebuild trust among the various groups.
Additionally, Makama noted that local security personnel and groups, particularly Operation Rainbow, are under scrutiny for alleged misconduct, including accusations of targeted attacks and involvement in cattle rustling linked to a state-backed security organization.
He emphasized the need for security agencies to clarify the circumstances of Yakubu’s shooting, identify those responsible, and prevent any further violence. “All residents of Mangu, irrespective of their ethnic or occupational backgrounds, deserve protection from armed violence. No individual or group should take the law into their own hands,” he stated.
