Community counters MACBAN cattle rustling allegations in Taraba

The Bandawa Community in Karim-Lamido Local Government Council of Taraba State has countered allegations by the Northern Zone leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) concerning alleged cattle rustling around the Bandawa axis.

In a statement signed by its National Youth President, Ishaya Peter Bandawa, on Thursday, the community said it remained committed to peaceful coexistence but would not remain silent over what it described as a one-sided presentation of events.

The statement was issued in response to a September 6, 2026, publication signed by MACBAN Northern Zone Secretary in Taraba, Ahmed Isah, which raised allegations concerning cattle rustling in the area.

Bandawa said the first incident cited by MACBAN was incomplete, alleging that a Bandawa youth returning from fishing was confronted in broad daylight by some Fulani men who suspected him of stealing cattle.

According to the community, the youth was beaten and seriously injured, suffering a head injury and a broken hand, before his brother intervened and rescued him.

The community said a Fulani elder, Alhaji Bauna, later reported the incident at the Karim-Lamido Divisional Police Station, while both parties were subsequently granted bail under circumstances outlined in the statement.

Bandawa said the matter remained under police investigation and expressed its readiness to respect whatever conclusion was reached by the security authorities.

The community also raised concerns over alleged destruction of farms by cattle, saying several farmers had reported cases of crops being destroyed during the farming season.

“An existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), reached at the Palace of the Garkuwan Karim-Lamido of the Wurkum Chiefdom, was intended to address disagreements between farmers and herders.

The agreement requires Fulani herders to leave designated farming and settlement areas during the agreed farming period, particularly between July and November”, the community said.

The community questioned whether the agreement was being fully respected, alleging that complaints of cattle entering and destroying farms persisted despite the MOU.

It said its youth leadership had reported the grievances through lawful channels, including visits to police and military authorities, as well as the Palace of the Garkuwan Karim-Lamido.

On the alleged theft of a cow and subsequent discovery of meat in a room belonging to a Bandawa youth, the community said the individuals involved were handed over to the police and that it did not support cattle rustling or any form of criminality.

“We urged MACBAN and other stakeholders to avoid turning ongoing investigations into public trials. We also call on security agencies to investigate allegations from both farmers and herders impartially,” Bandawa pleaded.

“We appealed to the local government council, traditional and community leaders, security agencies, MACBAN, Ardos and other stakeholders to intervene, respect the existing MOU and prevent further tension”.