By Esindu Jacobs
Suspected gunmen have kidnapped 10 persons in Anambra State, demanding gun and four million naira as ransom.
The incident happened at Obene community in Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State early hours of Saturday.
As a result, the South East Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, has raised the alarm that those kidnapped were their members.
Siddiki, who disclosed this in an interview with The Razor News in Awka, said the incident took place at Fulani settlement at exactly 1.30am Saturday
He said that the Cattle herders were attacked at their settlement while asleep and their animals numbering about 300 forcefully taken away by the gunmen numbering about 40.
He said they invaded the area with sophisticated weapons; guns cutlasses, sticks and charms.
According to him,” the kidnappers have established contact with their victims families, demanding a four million nairia and one gun as ransom.
“As I speak to you now, I have reported the incident to the Police and DSS for prompt action.
He appealed to the kidnappers to release his members and their cows, stressing that those kidnapped were mere strugglers.
He condemned the politicization of the herdsmen and host communities conflict across the country, noting that the herdsmen were always accused of crime, even in situations where they were the victims of attack.
Siddiki, cited instances where criminals disguised in Fulani attires and commit crimes in some states like Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, southern Kaduna and Anambra in order to give the herdsmen a bad name.
He blamed the face-off between herdsmen, farmers and host communities on lack of accurate communication
Siddiki however, commended the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for initiating peace and reconciliation committee to address the security challenges in the state and the South East region at large, with a view to achieving realistic solutions.
The state Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident
He urged the leadership of Miyetti Allah in the state to come up with more information that would enable the Police to commence aggressive investigation into the matter.
According to the PRO,” yes, we are aware of the incident, but we want the Miyetti Allah leadership to supply us with more information, since the Kidnappers have established ransom contact with the victims families.
He advised the Miyetti Allah leadership not to react, assuring them that the Command under CP Echeng Echeng and other security agencies in the state would do everything possible to rescue the victims from their abductors.
