The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has urged the Federal Government to extend support to the victims of an accidental airstrike that occurred in Nasarawa on January 24, 2023.
The airstrike, conducted by the Nigerian Air Force in the Rukubi area, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 40 herders.
Despite condemnations from international organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Reuters, the Nigerian Air Force did not officially acknowledge that the airstrike was a mistake.
Baba Ngelzarma, the National President of MACBAN, on Tuesday, expressed dismay over the lack of remorse, sympathy, or compensation to the victims 11 months after the incident.
Ngelzarma lamented the disparity in attention between the victims of the Nasarawa airstrike and those affected by a similar incident in Tudun Biri, where the military accepted responsibility and pledged compensation.
He stated that the shepherds killed in Rukubi were peace-loving Nigerians who deserved justice.
“MACBAN is calling on the Federal Government to ensure justice for the 40 pastoralists killed in Rukubi, Doma Chiefdom on January 27, 2023, as a result of a drone attack by the Nigerian Air Force.
“Eleven months later, no acceptance of responsibility, no report of investigation nor any show of sympathy by either the Federal Government or any of its agencies.
“Those killed were bonafide peace-loving Nigerians, deserving justice like every other citizen.
“To our greatest surprise, a similar drone strike in Tudun Biri is getting the attention of not only the Federal Government but even the military accepting responsibility and pledging compensation for the victims.
“The leadership of the Northern Governors Forum and that of the federal legislative arm of government have, in addition to visiting the site, pledged all sorts of assistance.
“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government to extend the same gesture to the victims of the Rukubi drone attack and similar incidences that took place in other states.
“We believe now is the time for the Federal Government to come out with a clear-cut compensation package for victims of such incidents across the nation,” the statement read in part.
