By Adamu Yusuf
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Kaduna State Chapter, says more than two hundred thousand cattle have been rustled across the state since January this year.
Chairman of MACBAN Kaduna State Chapter, Alhaji AbdulHamid Musa, disclosed this while addressing a press conference in Kaduna on the security and livelihood challenges confronting cattle breeders in the state.
He also says over fifty of its members have lost their lives to attacks by bandits within the same period.
Alhaji AbdulHamid Musa said cattle rustling remained one of the major threats to the survival of thousands of pastoralists, particularly in areas including Kachia, Chikun, Kagarko, Giwa, Igabi, Jama’a, Kaura, Sanga, Jaba, Kudan, Makarfi, Zangon-Kataf and Kauru.
He said the loss of livestock had pushed many affected families into severe economic hardship, with some forced to abandon areas where they had previously conducted their legitimate economic activities.
Alhaji AbdulHamid Musa called on the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to tackle cattle rustling, banditry and other forms of rural criminality, while improving security along livestock routes, grazing areas and vulnerable rural communities.
The MACBAN chairman also called for the recovery and return of rustled livestock to their legitimate owners whenever such animals are recovered.
He urged the government to establish a mechanism for documenting and assessing losses suffered by cattle breeders as a result of rustling, banditry and other security challenges.
Alhaji AbdulHamid Musa further appealed for appropriate government intervention for verified victims, saying such support would enable affected families to rebuild their livelihoods and restore economic activities in communities affected by insecurity.
On the newly opened Rijana livestock market in Kachia Local Government Area, the MACBAN chairman expressed concern over reports that livestock suspected to have been obtained through criminal means could be finding their way into the market.
He, however, stressed that the association was not accusing traders or livestock owners at the market of criminal activities.
The Chairman called for stronger regulation, proper identification and documentation of livestock brought to the market, as well as verification of traders and buyers to prevent the market from becoming an outlet for stolen animals.
Alhaji AbdulHamid Musa said MACBAN condemns cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping, killings and all forms of criminality, irrespective of the ethnic, religious or occupational background of those involved.
He urged security agencies to deepen intelligence gathering and community engagement, assuring that MACBAN would continue to cooperate with government and security institutions in efforts to identify and dismantle criminal networks.
The association also appealed for stronger collaboration between farmers and pastoralists, saying peaceful dialogue and coexistence remained critical to achieving lasting peace and economic development in Kaduna State.
Alhaji AbdulHamid Musa commended the administration of Governor Uba Sani for its interventions in security, agriculture and livestock development, while urging the government to treat the issue of cattle rustling with urgency.
Editing By Khadija Kubau
