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A Jos, Plateau State-based security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Dr. Appolos Kuchi, has accused the state chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, and the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria, GAFDAN, of using propaganda and false narratives to justify attacks on communities in the state.
Kuchi, who made the allegations in a telephone chat with DAILY POST on Monday, noted that in the couple of years, MACBAN and GAGDAN have employed the tactics to great effect and have become so accustomed to them that it has become second nature.
He lamented that despite this well-known pattern and several warnings to the state government and security agencies, no proactive actions had been taken to counter or checkmate the attacks, which are always well-coordinated.
“In the last couple of years, MACBAN, GAFDAN, and other Fulani groups in Plateau State have deployed a strategic form of propaganda and false narratives to justify attacks on communities in the state and they have largely succeeded,” Kuchi said.
He stressed that before these attacks and invasions, the media space would be flooded with what he described as bogus claims of attacks on herders and their cows by locals, and before anyone could react, their militias had struck with devastating precision.
“I have noticed and studied this pattern and strategy for years and have called the attention of the government and security apparatus to them but neither the government nor security agencies have taken note of this agenda,” he said.
Referencing the wave of attacks in Jol and Dorowa Babuje of Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas last weekend where over 15 people were killed by suspected Fulani militias, Kuchi said as early as Thursday and Friday, the media, blogs and the social media was flooded with headlines of alleged attacks and killing of herdsmen and rustling of cows by local youths and by Saturday and Sunday, the communities were attacked in coordinated fashion.
“Before the attacks in Jol and Dorowa Babuje on Saturday and Sunday, the Fulani groups were all over the media, blogs, and social media with imaginary stories of attacks on herders and stealing of their cows by local youths without any concrete evidence to back up those claims.
“They make the world believe they are the victims and any action they take is a reprisal because they have been pushed to the wall.
“The reports made headlines between Thursday and Friday and by the weekend, they struck the two communities and left over 15 people dead. What does that tell you?
“What does that tell the government and the security agencies? Is that not enough grounds to beef up security in these communities whenever the Fulani groups come up with this propaganda?” Kuchi asked.
Plateau: ‘MACBAN, GAFDAN use propaganda, false narratives to justify attacks’ – Kuchi
