Anthony Iwuoma
The Oyo State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has endorsed the newly created security outfit, operation Amotekun.
South-west governors had recently launched the South-west Security Network, codenamed Operation Amotekun, to tackle security challenges in the region.
The creation of the outfit initially generated controversy, following its declaration as illegal by the Federal Government and its labeling by some northern elements as a prelude to secessionist agenda by the South-west.
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However, the Federal Government later soft-pedaled and gave its nod to Operation Amotekun, which is now gearing up to go into full operation.
In the latest twist, a former Chairman of MACBAN in Oyo state, Yaqub Bello, expressed the cattle breeders’ support for the outfit and requested that its members be co-opted therein.
Speaking at a public hearing on the Amotekun bill on Monday, Bello did not only endorse the security outfit but also described its opponents as haters of truth.
He recalled that some MACBAN members had lived n the state for more than 40 years during which they coexisted with the indigenes, married their women, who bore children for them.
Bello admitted that Operation Amotekun became necessary in order to check criminality in the area but added that none of his members is a criminal and premised his call for the inclusion of MACBAN in Operation Amotekun on their knowledge of the area.
“Having Fulani among the outfit will make it easier for Amotekun men to distinguish between genuine herdsmen and the criminals while on patrol. A Fulani man can also serve as an interpreter while interrogating any suspected herdsman,” he argued.
