The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for his inclusive leadership, commitment to peaceful coexistence and efforts to protect residents irrespective of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The association also praised the governor for creating opportunities for members of the Fulani community to participate in governance through appointments into government positions, describing the gesture as evidence of his commitment to fairness, inclusion and unity.
MACBAN’s commendation followed its condemnation of alleged successive attacks on Fulani herders in Umumba community, Ezeagu Local Government Area, and neighbouring Owu community in Udi LGA, which reportedly resulted in the killing of 62 cattle and the disappearance or theft of several others.
In a statement issued by its National Deputy Director-General, Gidado Siddiki, the association disclosed that two Fulani herders, Bodo Damina and Mallam Nasiru Mohammed, were attacked by suspected assailants while grazing their cattle in Umumba on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Although the herders reportedly escaped, 25 cattle were allegedly killed during the incident.
MACBAN further disclosed that another attack occurred on Wednesday, November 11, in Owu community, where four herders identified as Umaru, Aliyu, Ibrahim and Babuga, sons of Dauji Haruna, were reportedly attacked while tending to their cattle.
According to the association, the attackers dispersed the cattle, with some allegedly stolen, while the four herders were initially declared missing.
They reportedly resurfaced on Thursday, November 12, only to discover that 37 of their cattle had been killed.
The association also expressed concern over reports of the killing of two commercial motorcycle operators in Umumba community during the incidents.
The Enugu State Police Command had yet to confirm or deny the allegations as of press time.
While condemning the attacks, MACBAN described the perpetrators as enemies of peace, innocent citizens and the collective efforts of the Mbah administration to guarantee the security of lives and property across the state.
It maintained that the alleged attacks were contrary to the governor’s vision of building a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Enugu State where residents can live, work and conduct their businesses without fear or discrimination.
The association urged members of the Fulani community and other residents to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, warning against reprisals or actions capable of escalating tensions.
It called on the state government and relevant security agencies to conduct comprehensive investigations, identify and prosecute those responsible, investigate the alleged theft of cattle and facilitate their recovery.
MACBAN also urged the authorities to strengthen security around Umumba, Owu and neighbouring communities while establishing sustainable security arrangements to protect farmers, herders, traders and other residents.
The association further appealed to the Fulani community to trust the government and security agencies to handle the matter through lawful and constitutional processes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful coexistence, MACBAN said no individual should be targeted because of ethnic or religious affiliation, stressing that every resident of Enugu State deserves equal protection under the law.
It added that Governor Mbah’s inclusive governance approach should be sustained in the collective interest of peace, security and development, insisting that criminality must be condemned regardless of the identity of those involved.
