The South-East leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has commended the Anambra State Police Commissioner, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, for vindicating herdsmen of alleged kidnapping in the state.
The commendation which was contained in a statement signed and made available to Journalists in Awka on Friday by the Deputy National Director of the Association, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, is coming less than 24 hours after the Police Commissioner, via a press briefing in Awka, announced that no incident of kidnapping by suspected herdsmen was reported in any police station in the state.
It was gathered that six persons were reportedly kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen at the Dubai Estate in Awka, Anambra State, in the last three weeks.
It was equally learnt that four of the six victims paid a total of N75 million ransom before they were released. According to residents in the area, the suspected herdsmen operate along the Federal Road Safety Corps from the Onitsha – Awka- Enugu Express Way into the Dubai Estate.
At the Dubai Estate near NNPC Station connecting Dozzy Estate and Four Way junction before the second gate of Ngozika Estate, the herdsmen kidnapped a Professor who allegedly paid the sum of N31 million, while a young man driving a Toyota Highlander was kidnapped along with his fiancée and the sum of N45 million was allegedly paid as ransom.
But CP Itam, in his briefing speech tagged ‘SUSPECTED FULANI HERDSMEN KIDNAP 6 PERSONS IN ANAMBRA, FULANI HERDSMEN FINGERED’, said “the purported victims of the Dubai Estate Awka Kidnap or attempted kidnap for which it is alleged the victim fried at escaped and the gunshot burnt his car, is yet to report to any Police Station. May I use this opportunity to advise the owners of undeveloped plots in the said Dubai Estate to please clear their plots?”
Reacting further via his statement, Allahaji Siddiki said “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Anambra State Police Command, under the leadership of CP NNAGHE OBONO ITAM for their commendable and unprecedented stand in condemning the allegations against Fulani kidnapping in Dubai Estate, Awka, Anambra State.
“We urge residents to verify the information before disseminating it and to avoid attributing criminality to any particular race, as this is both wrong and defamatory.
“We remain committed to supporting the command by providing any useful information to help curb insecurity in Anambra State. We will also keep them informed about our members’ activities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the long-standing synergy, harmony, and peaceful coexistence that we have enjoyed for years.
“Additionally, we thank the government and the people of Anambra State for their continued hospitality and for integrating us into their daily affairs as if we were indigenes, Siddiki concluded.”
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