By Segun Onibiyo
(Kaduna) In a brutal attack early Sunday, January 5, 2025, terrorists linked to the notorious Bello Turji group killed Mallam Amadu Surajo, the Acting Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Katsina State. Three others also lost their lives in the assault, and several others sustained injuries.
The terrorists targeted Mai Rana village in Kusada County (Local Government Area), unleashing violence that has shocked the region.
Eyewitness Accounts
Mallam Hassan Dan Kurfi, a resident, recounted the tragedy to TruthNigeria. “After killing the Miyetti Allah chairman, the terrorists kidnapped his two wives and one of his daughters, Suwaba, who is a university student,” Kurfi said. “They later released his first wife, but no one has heard anything about the second wife and their daughter,” Kurfi added.
Another local resident described Surajo as a courageous advocate for peace and justice. “This attack appears premeditated. Surajo fought for his people, worked against cattle rustling, and was a strong voice for the protection of cattle owners. His death is a devastating loss for our community.”
Background
Before his elevation to Acting Chairman, Amadu Surajo served as the State Secretary of MACBAN. He assumed leadership after the mysterious disappearance of Engineer Munnir Atiku Lamido, the former National Vice President of MACBAN, in June 2024. Lamido vanished en route to Kaduna State, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Security and Expert Analysis
Dr. Walid Abdullahi, a security expert, suggested the possibility of internal rivalries within Miyetti Allah contributing to the violence. However, he did not rule out external terrorist involvement, noting, “This could be part of a systematic effort to eliminate voices opposing terrorism in the region.”
The Public Relations Officer of the Katsina State Police Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed the killing of Surajo in a phone call with TruthNigeria. “The DPO informed me that the incident occurred last night,” Sadiq said.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, also confirmed the incident during a phone conversation with our correspondent.
Government Response
Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State announced immediate measures to strengthen security, including recruitment of 70 forest guards to protect forest reserves. Plans are also underway to establish specialized courts to address violations of forest-conservation laws.
The governor’s spokesperson emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, “Our administration is committed to protecting our natural resources and ensuring the safety of our communities.”
Pattern of Assassination of Miyetti Allah ·
The murder of Mallam Amadu Surajo follows a pattern of assassinations of Miyetti Allah chiefs since 2019.
· Gunmen alleged to be bandits killed Adamu Aliyu In April 2022. Aliyu chaired Miyetti Allah in Gwagwalada council area of the federal capital territory (FCT). He was killed along with four others in Dako area, near Dobi village in Gwagwalada.
· Abubakar Abdullahi, chairman of the Lere LGA chapter of the MACBAN in Kaduna, was shot to death in his residence in Kaduna in September 2021.
· Two chairmen of Miyetti Allah in Nasarawa were killed by gunmen at Garaku market in Nasarawa on April 2, 2021: Mohammed Hussain and Mohammed Umar.
· Alhaji Saidu Kolaku, the leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Adamawa was gunned down in August 2019 at his home in Adamawa. Kolaku’s relatives said at the time his killing was a possible reprisal attack as he had been assisting security operatives in tracking kidnappers and other criminal elements in Adamawa state.
Speaking to TruthNigeria about the state government’s plans, Tandu Mari, a community leader in Katsina, commented, “These killings and disappearances might be linked to internal rivalries within the Miyetti Allah group. Everyone is vying for power, and when they can’t achieve it, they resort to actions like this,” Mari said.
“While I can’t say this with absolute certainty, it seems likely that some factions are leveraging terrorists to eliminate those they see as threats,” he went on to say.
“It’s both tragic and shameful. We hope this will be the last incident of its kind so that we can unite and focus on fighting terrorism, bringing peace back to our communities,” Mari said to TruthNigeria.
The use of terrorist groups as proxies to settle scores in Nigeria’s northwest poses a significant regional and international threat, according to sources who spoke to TruthNigeria on background. With various terrorist groups, including Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) and Boko Haram (Western Learning Forbidden), gaining sophistication, experts warn of possible connections to larger networks in the Sahel.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration faces mounting pressure to intensify counter-terrorism efforts, amid allegations from Niger’s military junta accusing Nigeria of collaborating with French forces to destabilize neighboring Republic of Niger.
The remains of Mallam Surajo and the other victims were buried Sunday morning in accordance with Islamic rites. Meanwhile, survivors of the attack are receiving treatment in local hospitals.
Segun Onibiyo is a conflict reporter for Truth Nigeria.
