GOV ISHAKU PAYING LIPS SERVICE ON SECURITY -MACBAN
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
The Taraba State chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has accused the Taraba State Government of paying lips service to security issues in Taraba State, adding that government has failed woefully in the provision of security of lives and property of the people.
The North East Zonal chairman of the association, Alh. Mafindi Danburam said this in a chat with our reporters in Jalingo recently. He was answering questions from our reporters on the efforts that the Fulani vigilante group is making to stem the tidal wave of kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the state.
Danburam stated that MACBAN in conjunction with the Emir of Muri, had achieved a lot in the area of providing enabling environment for farmers and herders to co-exist peacefully in the state but lack of political will and support by the Taraba State Government is slowing down the pace of progress.
“We have done a lot but the major challenge we are facing now is the lackadaisical attitude of the present State Government towards keying into the program of fishing out criminals in Taraba state.” He said.
While identifying measures the association has taken to curb influx of strangers who constitute security threats to the people, the chairman said his association had synergized with the Emir of Muri to ensure that the people coming from other areas are shown the way out by the Fulani vigilante groups that they have mounted in some strategic places. He said they had also involved all the Ardos in the state and demarcated geographical locations for them to be in charge so that, no stranger enters any location without their notice.
Danburam who condemned the issue of giving amnesty for bandits, said bandit should always be given equal treatment as other criminals to serve as deterrent to others. He advocated for modern way of grazing but insisted that herders must be trained and adequately sensitized to enable them key into the system and be effective on it.
He accused Governor Darius playing politics of religion and diverting the attention of the Taraba people away from some of his lapses in his administration.
“When a Government has nothing to show, it brings a lot of propaganda to divide the people. That is what the government of the day is doing. His Excellency, Rev Jolly Nyame and his Deputy were all Christians, yet there was no any complain because they were developing the state. When His Excellency Pharmacist Danbaba Suntai, stopped motorcycling in this town, no one said anything and most of the cyclists were Muslims. They know it was in their best interest.
“This is a governor who would stay in the state for three months without going to Abuja, touring all the 16 LGAs. Today, we are only boosting of one project anywhere we find ourselves without minding about over 200 billion debt that the Governor Darius led administration has imposed on us.
“The only joy I have with the administration is that it is forcing us to go back to the drawing board and have a rethink on voting on the basis of religion”
“CAN and the Muslim Council that are shouting all over the place, will also go back to the board, and 2023 will be different”. He stated.
