Southern Kaduna conflict: Miyyati Allah, Atyap leaders trade blames

From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The two parties in the conflicts ravaging Atyap Chiefdom of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna state; Miyyati Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Atyap Communty Development Association (,ACDA) are pointing accussing fingers at each.
In a statement made available to media in kaduna, Chairman MACBAN Alhaji Haruna Usman Tugga, said conflicts in Atyap Chiefdom , have so far led to the killing of 16 persons, mostly women and children, while over 300 houses belonging to the Fulani were reportedly burnt to ashes in different villages of the Chiefdom.
Alhaji Tugga added that Fulani pastoralists were equally victims of the atrocities of bandits who spare nobody, as “they are constantly rustling cows, kidnapping pastoralists and killing whenever victims fail to pay ransoms as demanded by the bandits.”
According to him, based on the information available to the association, the trigger for the present round of disturbances emanated from the attack on a family by unknown bandits in Gora Gan village of the Chiefdom on 7th July 2021.
However in a sharp reaction Atyap Communty Development Association (ACDA) said 42 persons were killed, 7 wounded and 338 houses set ablaze in the latest attacks in several communities.
President of the association, Samuel T. Achie, disclosed this during a press conference held in kaduna yesterday.
Achie added that 8 cars, 13 motorcycles, generators, food and domestic items were either looted or razed in what he described as “onslaught” against Atyap Chiefdom.
According to him, until the latest attacks, the Fulani and Atyap communities had earlier signed a peace pact which has been so far respected by all and sundry, hence, finding it difficult to unravel the provocations that have sent scores to their early grave and property worth millions destroyed.