The Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has responded to charges by the Berom Youth-Moulders Association, BYM, that it discovered a scheme by the Fulani organization to conceal a suspect arrested during an attack.
The BYM, in a statement issued on Thursday by its National President, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, said that it had unearthed a conspiracy by MACBAN to conceal the suspect by obtaining a bogus medical certificate claiming the suspect is mentally unwell.
In the statement, Mwantiri stated that the BYM had received credible intelligence from a very reliable source indicating that MACBAN had allegedly perfected the plan and was making desperate efforts to obtain a forged medical certificate claiming that the suspect arrested in connection with the attack was mentally retarded and that his confessions to security personnel should not be trusted.
However, in a counter-statement issued on Friday, the Fulani umbrella association denied the charges, calling them not only inaccurate but also untrue and a “deliberate attempt to incite tension and misinform the public.”
In a statement signed by its State Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, MACBAN expressed surprise at the BYM’s charges and questioned how they could have occurred given the organization’s reputation for supporting peace and stability.
“The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Plateau State branch, has been alerted to recent claims made by the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) about an alleged conspiracy to protect a suspect involved in the regrettable occurrence in Heipang.
“We unequivocally assert that these charges are false, misleading, and intended to generate tension and misinform the public. MACBAN remains a law-abiding group dedicated to peace, justice, and the rule of law in Plateau State and elsewhere.
“MACBAN has never engaged in, nor does it encourage, any conduct that obstructs justice or shields those implicated in criminal acts. We firmly think that anyone found guilty of any act of violence or criminality, regardless of ethnic, religious, or organisational connection, should face the full force of the law.
“It is critical to note that Plateau State has suffered significantly from cycles of misinformation and mutual distrust. BYM’s statements simply serve to heighten tensions and impede ongoing community peacebuilding initiatives.
“We thus urge the Berom Youth Moulders Association to avoid from making unproven assertions and instead work with all relevant stakeholders to promote discussion, peaceful coexistence, and unity in Plateau State.
“MACBAN reiterates its commitment to collaborating with security services, government authorities, and community leaders to maintain long-term peace and stability.
“We advise the public to dismiss these unsubstantiated charges and remain calm, as security authorities are fully capable of conducting professional investigations. “Together, we must prioritise peace over provocation, truth over speculation,” the declaration said.