The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has asked the Federal Government to come out with a clear-cut compensation package for all victims of drone attacks across the country.
The National President of MACBAN, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, appealed to the military to take precaution in discharging its constitutional duty of protecting and ensuring the unity of the country.
He called on the Federal Government to ensure that justice was done for some pastoralists reportedly killed in Rukubi, Doma Chiefdom, Nasarawa State on January, 27, 2023.
According to him, the victims were killed as a result of a drone attack by the Nigerian air force.
He stated, “The victims were offloading their livestock which was retrieved from the Benue livestock guard after paying a fine of N29m. To justify the victim’s innocence, it was on record that they were publicly buried in the presence of the officials of Nasarawa State, Royal fathers and thousands of sympathisers.
“Those killed were bona fide, peace-loving Nigerians, deserving justice like every other citizen.”
Othman-Ngelzarma lamented that similar drone strike in Tudun Biri in Kaduna State was getting all the attention of not only the Federal Government but even the military accepting responsibility and pledging compensation for the victims.
He added, “The leadership of the Northern States 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 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.”
