The Irigwe Youth Movement, IYM, has quickly responded to charges made by the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, claiming a herdsman named Muhammadu Alh. Rebo was assassinated in Ancha Village, Bassa Local Government Area, in the state.
In a statement issued on Friday by MACBAN Chairman, Alh. Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, the association said that the herder was attacked and killed in Ancha Village, Bassa Local Government Area.
However, in a counter-statement issued by IYM Publicity Secretary Joseph Yokpa, the youth group denied the charges, claiming MACBAN was spreading misinformation to justify planned attacks on villages.
The IYM noted that it was a major strategy used by the Fulani people anytime they intend to unleash violence on Plateau villages, and it urged security authorities to be on high alert to prevent any violent invasion.
Insisting that no attack or killing occurred on Irigwe property, the group claimed that a 60-year-old man, Bulus Turu, was savagely murdered by Fulani militias in Ancha village.
“The Irigwe community has been alerted about a deceptive statement issued by the MACBAN, saying that Irigwe youths killed a young guy. “We categorically refute this falsehood and wish to correct the record,” the statement read.
“To clarify, there have been no cows in our hamlet or its surrounds for the previous week, let alone any grazing activity in Ancha village or its surroundings.