The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has disassociated itself from the travail of former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Obadiah Mailafia.

It said the ex-banker should be allowed to bear his own cross.

MACBAN also asked the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) to count the association and the Fulani community out of Mailafia’s travail.

In a statement by its National Secretary, Usman Baba Ngelzerma, MACBAN said: “We read with dismay a statement by SOKAPU on the invitation by the Department of State Services (DSS) to Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, carried by an online publication, on September 14, 2020, in which SOKAPU tried to draw MACBAN into the controversy surrounding his invitation.

“Among groups and individuals SOKAPU is accusing in making reckless statements, MACBAN was mentioned as having claimed responsibility over some ‘deadly attacks’ on communities across the country.

“We want to make it abundantly clear that MACBAN is a responsible association led by responsible personalities that have never and will never claim responsibility for irresponsible acts or any form of criminality.

“In the last eight years, the leadership of the association has travelled the length and breadth of this country to broker peace. SOKAPU can testify to several engagements it had with them on how to maintain peace and security in Kaduna State.

“Dr. Mailafia made the statements he made, knowing fully well the implications his statements will have on peace and security in this country, having held a responsible position in government.

“It is, therefore, illogical for SOKAPU to drag itself into this controversy, much less drag other groups and individuals, unless Mailafia made such statements on behalf of SOKAPU. Mailafia should be allowed to bear his own cross.”

“We have had enough intolerance and bloodbath in this country; it is high time the elites that constitute pressure groups, like SOKAPU, allowed peace to reign and worked towards an end to strife and belligerence.”