KEY POINTS

• Muhammad Adamu, the MACBAN Chairman in Plateau State, was assassinated by unidentified gunmen at his residence, marking another in a series of targeted killings of Fulani leaders.
• The killings have raised fears of a coordinated campaign against community leaders who speak out against crime, with similar incidents reported in Kwara State and other regions.
• MACBAN and community leaders are calling for increased security and swift justice, while urging the government to address the broader issue of insecurity in Nigeria.

In a shocking act of violence, Muhammad Adamu, the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, in the Barikin Ladi area of Plateau State, was assassinated by unidentified gunmen at his residence on Wednesday.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about the safety of Fulani leaders in Nigeria.

According to reports, the attackers stormed Adamu’s home and shot him multiple times before fleeing the scene. “The gunmen attacked him and shot him multiple times. There are bullet wounds on his body. After they shot him, they fled the area,” said Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, the Plateau State Chairman of MACBAN. Adamu’s body has been deposited at the Barikin Ladi General Hospital, with his burial scheduled for Thursday.

According to SaharaReporters, this tragic event follows a similar pattern of violence against MACBAN leaders across Nigeria. Just weeks ago, Alhaji Idris Abubakar, the MACBAN chairman in Kwara State, was also assassinated under eerily similar circumstances.

“Our chairman was assassinated because he stood against kidnapping and other criminal activities. For over five months, he had been trailed by these criminals before they finally ambushed him,” said Mallam Abdulazeez Mohammed, MACBAN’s Kwara State Secretary.

The killings have sparked fears of a coordinated campaign against Fulani leaders who have been vocal in condemning criminal activities within their communities.

Abubakar, like Adamu, was known for his efforts to combat kidnapping and other crimes perpetrated by individuals disguising themselves as cattle breeders. “Idris Abubakar was a fearless warrior. He confronted kidnappers and criminals, warning them to stop their activities or face the law. That made him a target,” Mohammed added.

Abubakar’s assassination occurred shortly after he broke his Ramadan fast and attended prayers with a prominent politician, Yahaya Seriki. His death marked the fourth killing of a Fulani leader in Kwara State in recent months, raising alarms about the safety of community leaders who speak out against crime. “These Fulani leaders were vocal in condemning crime within their communities. They consistently warned criminal elements at gatherings and meetings. This is why they became targets,” Mohammed lamented.

MACBAN calls for justice and increased security

The Plateau State chapter of MACBAN has condemned Adamu’s killing and called on security agencies to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. “We urge the government and security agencies to take swift action to ensure that those responsible for this heinous crime are apprehended and punished,” Babayo stated. The association also called for increased protection for Fulani leaders, who they say are increasingly becoming targets of violence.

The killings have highlighted the broader issue of insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in regions plagued by communal clashes, banditry, and kidnapping. Plateau State, in particular, has been a hotspot for violence, with frequent clashes between herders and farmers exacerbating tensions.

The assassination of Adamu has further strained relations in the region, with many calling for dialogue and peacebuilding efforts to address the root causes of the conflict.

The assassinations of MACBAN leaders come amid a wave of violence sweeping across Nigeria. From the activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast to banditry and kidnapping in the northwest and central regions, the country is grappling with a multifaceted security crisis.

The recent killing of three Nigerian soldiers by ISWAP terrorists in Yobe State and the lynching of an armed robbery suspect in Lagos are just a few examples of the escalating violence.

As the nation mourns the loss of Muhammad Adamu and other fallen leaders, there is a growing call for the government to take decisive action to address the security challenges facing the country. “We cannot continue to lose our leaders to senseless violence. The government must prioritize the safety and security of all Nigerians,” said a community leader in Plateau State.