Controversy over Miyetti Allah’s role in release of abducted Kankara schoolboys
Pascal Oparada
That Fulani herdsman, otherwise known as Miyetti Allah, mediated in the release of the kidnapped schoolboys in Kankara, Katsina State has left many Nigerians in shock.
How did they get involved if they were not the perpetrators? In what capacity did they mediate to secure the schoolboys’ release? Nigerians ask.
This week, the Katsina State governor, Aminu Masari said that Miyetti Allah was in talks with the abductors, raising eyebrows over the involvement of an association many perceive as violent.
Though Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the abductions, Nigerians were not convinced because it did not bear the signature of the insurgents.
“What those who kidnapped the boys did was to copy the method of the insurgents,” John Odeh, a security expert said.
Odeh said had Boko Haram been involved in the kidnap, the boys wouldn’t have been released so soon. He cited the examples of Dapchi schoolgirls and Chibok girls as examples.
On social media, the debate is very hot. There are suggestions that Miyetti Allah was involved in the kidnap and release of the boys.
“Miyetti Allah, another criminal syndicate, who have claimed responsibility for attacks on Nigerian farmers is the one that negotiated on behalf of the Nigerian government for the release of the Kankara boys. And if you believe no ransom was paid, I have a desert to sell to you,” Kelvin Odanz said.
“So, Miyetti Allah, which has PMB as a patron, negotiated the release of 344 kidnapped schoolboys? You don’t negotiate with persons you aren’t familiar with, do you? The Yoruba call this phenomenon “Kokoro idi igba…” Una do well,” Chuks Akunna said.
Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, says the 344 schoolboys who were abducted from Katsina and taken to a forest in the state were released with no ransom paid to their kidnappers.
The governor told Daily Nigerian that the state was able to secure their release through the help of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and repentant bandits.
The students were kidnapped after gunmen attacked Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina state, on December 11.
“Is Miyetti Allah a trained negotiating organisation or a fellow terror organisation with access? What the heck is going on in Nigeria? How are we comfortable with a supposed ethnic group being the one negotiating with terrorists on behalf of the government,” Activist, Aisha Yesufu said.
Seventeen of them who escaped during the attack were found while 344 others in captivity was released and handed over to security agencies on Thursday.
See more reactions below.
Continue your lamentation , try to hide your bias , the School boys are back . You did not expect it . Whether Miyetti Allah played any role or not , the final output is #KankaraBoys are back. Focus on something else. Agbede is lamenting this morning. No foreign $ for advocacy
— Woye (@woye1) December 18, 2020
Miyetti Allah, another criminal syndicate, who have claimed responsibility for attacks on Nigerian farmers is the one that negotiated on behalf of the Nigerian government for the release of the Kankara boys. And if you believe no ransom was paid, I have a desert to sell to you.
— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) December 18, 2020
Miyetti Allah negotiated with terrorists on behalf of government. In what capacity?
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) December 18, 2020
