The National Coordinator of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Benue State, Alhaji Garus Gololo, has reiterated that police cannot invite them because they are not criminals.
He maintained it was unnecessary and indecent for former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), who is regarded as an elder statesman to call for the interrogation of the leadership of Miyetti Allah over killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Stating that Gowon was only speaking for the people of Benue, pointing out that the killings were not limited to the region.
He averred cattle breeders are peace lovers, that support peace and will continue to preach peace.
“I don’t understand what Gowon meant because it is only criminals that the police can invite. If that is the case, who should be questioned in Zamfara, Borno, Rivers, and Lagos where there have also been killings?
“Just yesterday, four people were killed in Zamfara, who should the police invite? To me, it is very unfortunate for a former Head of State to have made such inciting comments.
“What about the people who blocked roads in Jos and killed people; who have questioned them? And what about those people who were burnt to ashes and removed from vehicles in the Middle Belt, who have questioned those that killed them? Our people were burnt in vehicles at Daudu area in Benue State, who is to be questioned?
“As far as I’m concerned, we are cattle breeders, we are peace lovers, we support peace and we will continue to preach peace. Honestly, I’m not happy with his comments and I’m disappointed.
“No Miyetti Allah member would honour any invitation from the police in respect of any killings. Invitation? What for?
“They would call you just because you are leading an organization and something happened in any state; is that how things are done?
“We are a registered organization and we don’t have any dealing with the police as far as I’m concerned because we have a very robust and cordial relationship with them. The police cannot invite us because of a request made by someone because we’re friends with the police,” he noted.
The former head of state had recently in Makurdi, condemned the killings in the Benue, while he called on police to invite the Miyetti Allah leaders in the area for questioning.
Meanwhile, police were yet to hid to the call at the time of filing this report.