Miyetti Allah lied; no herdsmen, cows missing in Ogbaru, says council boss
The Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra, Arinzechukwu Awogu, has disputed the claim that some herdsmen were kidnapped and their cows rustled in the area.
Mr Awogu stated this in a statement issued in Awka and made available to journalists on Monday.
He described as misleading a report credited to the Southeast Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Gidado Siddiki, that 10 herdsmen were kidnapped and 300 cows rustled.
He explained that there was a misunderstanding between farmers in Okija in Ihiala LGA and the herdsmen, which made the herders flee the area to safety.
Mr Awogu stated that the herders, who abandoned their cows to take refuge, later returned to recover them when calm returned to the area.
He added that he was personally involved in restoring normalcy in the area, in conjunction with the leadership of MACBAN.
He, therefore, wondered why a case of kidnap and rustling would be reported in the media.
Narrating what happened, he stated that some unidentified persons from Okija community had issues with some herdsmen but this had nothing to do with Ogbaru LGA.
“It later spilled to Obene farm settlement on the Ogbaru side of the boundary, which made both farmers and herders in the farm settlement scamper to safety.
“I spoke with the chairman of MACBAN, with one Musa and a number of others, and I was physically present to help locate those that ran for safety.
“And as at 11.30pm on Saturday, all the cows had rejoined with their herders. So, which 300 cows went missing?
“We should be patriotic Nigerians and stop creating tension when none exists. I think we owe a duty to our country to always project the truth and not sensationalise sensitive issues,” Mr Awogu stated.
Meanwhile, the police command in the state confirmed that it found the herders and their cows in the bush.
The command’s spokesperson, Toochukwu Ikenga, said the herders were unhurt and “not in any harm’s way”.
He said: “On April 24, some of the alleged victims of abduction were seen in the bush unharmed, while one of the supposed abductees is still missing.
“The joint operatives also discovered some of the livestock in the bush. Efforts are being intensified to locate the missing herdsman and more livestock,” Mr Ikenga said.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Olubadan lauds Tinubu on release of Oriire kidnap victims, urges rehabilitation
“As a follow-up to this development, the government must ensure that all communities bordering the National Park are fully secure,” he said.
Heading 1
Iran’s new supreme leader vows revenge over father’s assassination by U.S.-Israeli forces
“We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers,” he said.
Heading 4
Trump administration subpoenas New York Times journalists over Air Force One story
The subpoenas seek to compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan.
Heading 2
Klopp agrees to replace Nagelsmann as Germany coach
Nagelsmann resigned last week as the men’s national team coach following Germany’s shocking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Health
FG expands cancer funding, local drug production
“We are trying to domesticate expensive treatments by producing much-needed medicines locally and translating global research into action in our clinics,” he said.
Heading 3
Remi Tinubu begs Asake, Davido, Burna Boy to come rescue poor Nigerians from hunger
The first lady stated that buying exotic cars is good, but noted that the singers can still establish foundations to assist the struggling population.
