MACBAN Urges Investigation into Murder of Kwara Chairman Idrissu Abubakar
MACBAN has called for an investigation into the murder of its Kwara chapter chairman, Idrissu Abubakar, who was shot by unidentified gunmen. The police confirmed the incident, noting five expended bullets were found at the scene. Ngelzarma condemned the killing as part of a troubling trend where multiple MACBAN leaders have been targeted recently. Abubakar, aged 33, is the second chairman murdered this year, raising serious concerns for the safety of community leaders.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has requested that security agencies launch an investigation into the assassination of their Kwara chapter chairman, Idrissu Abubakar. His killing was confirmed by the Kwara police, stating that he was shot by unidentified assailants at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Saturday in front of his residence in Ilorin East LGA. Investigators later recovered five expended bullet shells from the crime scene, and his body has been taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital mortuary.
Baba Ngelzarma, the national president of MACBAN, expressed outrage over the murder of Mr. Abubakar, who dedicated himself to promoting peace among pastoralists. Ngelzarma highlighted that the late chairman, aged 33, was the second MACBAN leader to be killed within the year, following the murder of the more recently elected Katsina chapter chairman two months prior. Mr. Abubakar left behind two wives, six children, and his elderly mother.
Further emphasizing Mr. Abubakar’s commitment, Ngelzarma noted his aspiration for improving Nigeria’s livestock production system. Eyewitness accounts revealed Mr. Abubakar was shot shortly after returning from Tarawee prayers. Ngelzarma urged security agencies to take serious action against the rising trend of violence targeting association leaders, noting that MACBAN had lost over seven of its state and local government leaders to gun violence in the past two years. Additionally, the group’s national vice-president has been unaccounted for since earlier this year.
Concluding, Ngelzarma vowed that MACBAN would exert all efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for this tragic incident and called it an act of cowardice.
The tragic murder of Idrissu Abubakar, chairman of MACBAN’s Kwara chapter, highlights the pressing issue of violence against pastoral leaders in Nigeria. With over seven MACBAN leaders killed in recent years and the unresolved disappearance of its vice-president, there is significant concern for the safety of community leaders. MACBAN is demanding a thorough investigation into this situation, underscoring the need for increased security measures against such acts of violence.
Original Source: gazettengr.com
