The Benue State Government has denied claims that Civil Protection Guards killed livestock belonging to members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
MACBAN Raises Allegations
Speaking in Makurdi on Tuesday, MACBAN State Chairman, Ando Mohammed, accused Civil Protection Guards and local vigilantes of raiding Fulani settlements in Ohimini Local Government Area (LGA).
According to him, the raids left one herder missing, over 70 cows, and three rams dead. He also alleged further attacks in Katsina Ala and Guma LGAs, where security personnel reportedly killed more livestock.
“One of our members is missing, while attackers killed 30 cows and three sheep. Later, they also killed 22 cows in Katsina Ala and 24 in Guma.”
Government Dismisses Claims
Reacting, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, dismissed the accusations. He stressed that Civil Protection Guards only operate alongside police and military teams.
“That is not true,” Har insisted. “Our men never operate alone. They complement police and military during surveillance. MACBAN cannot claim they are responsible for the killings.”
Council and Police Responses
Ohimini LGA Chairman, Adole Gabriel, confirmed that MACBAN reported the issue to the council and security agencies. He noted that investigations were ongoing.
“The leadership of MACBAN raised the complaint, and the council forwarded the matter to security authorities. The police already know about it,” Gabriel said.
Police spokesperson, DSP Catherine Edet, presented a different account. She explained that reports from Ohimini indicated fewer losses than MACBAN claimed.
“There was no report of cattle killings in Katsina Ala,” Edet clarified. “In Ohimini, only one cow and one sheep were killed. We also received a report of a missing person, and the police are still investigating.”
Conflicting Reports Heighten Tension
The contradictory statements have fueled tension in Benue. While MACBAN insists that Civil Protection Guards are behind the killings, government officials and police continue to downplay the scale of the incidents.
