The Ngwang Ishi ‘O’Tarok, an association of the Tarok people of Plateau State, has debunked the claims by the Fulani umbrella body, Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association, that 717 cattle belonging to its members were recently rustled.

In a press statement issued by the Secretary-General of NIO, Pastor Nanlir Kartim Napbut, the association regretted that Miyetti Allah in Plateau State has seen Tarokland as “the easiest and softest ground for offloading all forms of evil manipulations over cattle rustling”.

The Ngwang Ishi ‘O’Tarok, an association of the Tarok people of Plateau State, has debunked the claims by the Fulani umbrella body, Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association, that 717 cattle belonging to its members were recently rustled.

In a press statement issued by the Secretary-General of NIO, Pastor Nanlir Kartim Napbut, the association regretted that Miyetti Allah in Plateau State has seen Tarokland as “the easiest and softest ground for offloading all forms of evil manipulations over cattle rustling”.

The statement by Napbut added: “In the last three months, they cooked and deceived the world that their cattle were rustled into Langtang South. As a people who are decent and well-disciplined, we placed it before them to identify the area and have a free passage with the help of security men to go and possess their possessions, but up to this moment nothing has been heard from them or the security services.

“This phantom postulated that 717 of their cattle are rustled into Langtang North is quite unfortunate! As a peace-loving people, we make bold to inform the world that Miyetti Allah should go into Langtang North and bring forth their cattle or be ready to appear in the Ring!

“We are at a loss because on 12th August 2014, one military officer (Hausa/Fulani) serving in the STF in Yelwa-Shendam unlawfully detained Tarok businessmen and invited about four groups of Fulanis to claim the cattle were theirs.

“However, as the State CID investigated and interviewed the Fulanis and the Tarok businessmen, it was discovered that the Fulanis lied. It is still worrisome that to date the Tarok have been coming to Jos in respect of having their cattle released, but the Fulanis have defied honouring invitations to the Police Headquarters. We are watching keenly but patiently to see what the Police authority will do.

“It’s a pity that a thief is calling a legitimate person a thief! Miyetti Allah, remember that three (3) of your members were prosecuted for rustling Tarok cattle in Shendam last year! Please have the Tarok rustlers arrested and prosecuted!
“We are urging the Tarok nation to be on the alert as it has been observed that each time the Fulanis talk of cattle rustling, Tarokland is often attacked almost immediately.”

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Taroh Group Issue stern response to allegations of cow rustling by Fulani