The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called on the federal government to establish a comprehensive compensation package for their members who are victims of military drone attacks across the country.
National president of MACBAN, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, made the group’s decision known in a statement on Wednesday, December 20.
The cattle breeders urged the federal government to take proactive measures aimed at compensating those affected by the tragic incidents.
Othman-Ngelzarma also demanded justice for pastoralists killed in Rukubi, Doma Chiefdom, Nasarawa State, on January 27, 2023, allegedly due to a drone attack by the Nigerian Air Force.
“The victims were offloading their livestock, which had been retrieved from the Benue Livestock Guard after paying a fine of N29 million,” he claimed.
Highlighting the innocence of the victims, the MACBAN president noted that they were law-abiding Nigerians, deserving fair treatment and justice like any other citizen.
“The incident was witnessed by officials from Nasarawa State, traditional leaders, and numerous sympathisers during their public burial,” he claimed.
Othman-Ngelzarma noted the differential treatment of similar incidents, citing the Tudun Biri drone strike that received substantial attention and promises of compensation from both the federal government and the military.
“The leadership of the Northern Governors Forum and that of the federal legislative arm of government have, in addition to visiting the site, pledged all sorts of assistance,” he said.
“We, therefore, call on the federal government to extend the same gesture to the victims of Rukubi drone attack and similar incidents that took place in other states.
“We believe now is the time for the Federal Government to come out with a clear-cut compensation package for victims of such incidents across the nation.”
He said the necessity for the federal government to establish a clear and definitive compensation scheme for victims affected by such incidents nationwide.
