The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), South-East, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, on Sunday said that all herdsmen are not killers.

Making the assertion during the while delivering his Eid el-Kabir goodwill message in Awka, the MACBAN chairman insisted that criminals irrespective of status or region should face the wrath of the law and not protected.

He prayed for a peaceful coexistence among Nigerians as well as an improved peace and understanding between their host communities in the South-East and herdsmen who are genuinely engaged in the business of cattle rearing in the Eastern part of Nigeria.

The MACBAN boss who was in the company of the Sarkin Hausa, Alhaji Haruna Garuba, said: “I maintain that criminals, wherever they are identified, should be made to face the full wrath of the laws of the land.”

He noted that the safety of the citizens remain the primary commitment of government in the world over hence, it should be replicated in Nigeria.

He added: “As I invite all in the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, I sincerely plead for better understanding in information peddling, so as to avoid the misinformation, half-truths and outright falsehood that the gullible public very often gets fed with.

“I plead with the government, traditional and religious leaders, as well as other influential groups in the South-East not to relent in their advocacy for peaceful coexistence amongst Nigerians wherever they choose to live and ply their legitimate businesses.

“I plead for truthfulness, fairness and restraints in information management so as to avoid tendencies of unfair blanket criminalisation of any group of people.”

Speaking shortly after observing Eid prayers, the Sarkin Hausa in Awka, Ahaji Garuba, who is also the Special Adviser on Non-Indigenes to Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, called on Muslim faithful in the state to use the occasion to not only reflect but to pray for peace and harmony in Nigeria.

His words: “My message to my Muslim brothers in Anambra State is to pray for the peace of the country and Anambra State. We will continue to pray for the governor and people of the state for peace to reign.”

Haruna harped on the need for Muslim community to visit the Christian brothers and the leaderships of their host communities stressing that they have enjoyed relative peace with them.

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