A leader of Miyetti Allah cattle breeders in Benue State, Garus Gololo has revealed why Fulani herdsmen attacked some communities in Benue state.
He said their action was a reprisal for alleged theft of cows.
Herdsmen had attacked communities in Guma and Logo local government areas of the state between Monday, January 1 and Tuesday, January 2.
The incident left scores dead, including nearly a dozen livestock guards.
In a chat with BBC Pidgin, Gololo explained that the herdsmen were only defending themselves from thieves.
He claimed that over 1000 cows were stolen at Nengere, a community in the state when the herdsmen were moving out of Benue to Taraba state.
“As we dey relocate go Taraba State through Nassarawa State, for border town of Nengere, thief come collect 1000 cows from us, so we sef fight dem back”, he said.
Gololo added that the crisis broke out while the herdsmen were trying to protect and defend themselves and their property.
Meanwhile, Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has debunked an allegation that he is the chief financier of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
The association is the national body of Fulani herdsmen.