Killings: Why The Military Has Not Arrested Miyetti Allah

Military Is Not In A Hurry To Arrest Miyetti Allah In Connection With Killings, Says Investigation Is Ongoing

Acting Director Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. John Agim, has stated that the military will arrest the leadership of Miyetti Allah and their sponsors if investigations  shows that they had a hand in the killings in Benue State.

Agim, made this known, yesterday, in Makurdi, while he was reacting to allegation by the leadership of Miyetti Allah that its members and cows were killed by the military in Nasarawa State.

He said the military has started investigations into the complicity of the group in last week’s killing of two soldiers and injuring of five others attached to Operation Whirl Stroke, (OPWS), a military spike operation, to end herdsmen incursions and armed banditry in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states.

According to Agim, Miyetti Allah had been suffering issues of cattle rustling. We arrested rustlers with their cows and we returned same in hundreds to them.

“We are even shocked that Miyetti Allah, that is supposed to be a lawful association, is claiming that their members were killed. That is why we said that investigation is ongoing and if it is discovered that Miyetti Allah or any group is involved, they will not go scot-free.

“A lot of people have been posing the question to us on why we have not arrested them (Miyetti Allah). If you listen to them complain, you will know that they also have issues.

“But the issue is that no one, no matter whatever wrong he feels he had been subjected, the law of the land does not allow you to take up arms against other people, and that is what we stand for.

“So on the allegation by the chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, Mohammed Hussein, that OPWS killed six herdsmen and 150 cows, I wish to make it clear that the Special Forces troops of OPWS did not kill herdsmen or cows as claimed by the MACBAN chairman in Lafia. It is completely false and unfounded.

Agim noted that on June 26, 2018, at about 6 am, some troops of OPWS carried out a cordon and search operation at a suspected herdsmen militia camp at Barkin Kota village in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

“After the initial success of the operation, the militia elements reorganized and attacked our team, killing two soldiers and injuring five personnel, including the Officer Commanding, who led the operation.

“Following this incidence, some troops of OPWS were mobilised for reinforcement. In the fire fight that ensued, some of the militia must have sustained some casualties as we were able to extricate our men that were injured.

“In the course of the fighting, OPWS troops recovered one AK-47rifle fitted with magazine, two locally made guns, one pistol, one axe and 800 rounds of 7.62mm special. This was the criminal group that our troops were able to destroy their camp.

“So, for the chairman of Nasarawa State chapter of MACBAN to identify and associate them as members of his association begs for questions and answers.  He narrated.

While Agim clearly pointed that the Military is not in a hurry to arrest Miyetti allah  in connection to the killings, he assured that some arrests have been made and onging.