Herdsmen killings: Why Nigeria police cannot arrest us – Miyetti Allah

The National Coordinator of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Benue State, Alhaji Garus Gololo, has given reasons the police cannot arrest the leadership of the association.

He spoke in response to the call by a former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, retd, that the leadership of the herders association should be interrogated by security agencies over the incessant killings in various parts of the country by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Gololo described the call by Gowon as uncalled for and unbefitting of an elder statesman.

According to him, Gowon was only speaking for the people of the Middle Belt, adding that the killings were not limited to the region.

Gowon had last week in Makurdi, condemned the killings in the Middle Belt, demanding that Miyetti Allah leaders be invited for questioning.

In response, Punch quoted the Miyetti Allah leader in Benue State as saying it was wrong for Gowon to have called for their arrest because they had not done anything criminal to warrant being invited by the police for questioning.

“I don’t understand what Gowon meant because it is only criminals that the police can invite. If that is the case, who should be questioned in Zamfara, Borno, Rivers and Lagos where there have also been killings?

“Just yesterday, four people were killed in Zamfara, who should the police invite? To me, it is very unfortunate for a former Head of State to have made such inciting comments.

“What about the people who blocked roads in Jos and killed people; who have questioned them? And what about those people who were burnt to ashes and removed from vehicles in the Middle Belt, who have questioned those that killed them? Our people were burnt in vehicles at Daudu area in Benue State, who is to be questioned?

“As far as I’m concerned, we are cattle breeders, we are peace lovers, we support peace and we will continue to preach peace. Honestly, I’m not happy with his comments and I’m disappointed.

“No Miyetti Allah member would honour any invitation from the police in respect of any killings. Invitation? What for?

“They would call you just because you are leading an organisation and something happened in any state; is that how things are done?

“We are a registered organisation and we don’t have any dealing with the police as far as I’m concerned because we have a very robust and cordial relationship with them. The police cannot invite us because of a request made by someone because we’re friends with the police,” Gololo said.