TheNewsGuru

Tag: Herders

  • BREAKING: Buhari tackles Southern Govs on open grazing ban, promises to end herders crisis

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday condemned the ban on open grazing by southern governors while also expressing a strong resolve to address the conflicts of herders and farmers for a permanent solution.

    The Nigerian leader also ordered that the associated problem of the gun-wielding “killer herdsmen” be tackled.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in Abuja on Monday.

    Shehu in the statement said that President Buhari had approved a number of specific measures to bring a permanent end to the frequent skirmishes as recommended by Alhaji Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture in a report he submitted which the President signed off on it in April.

    He said the recommendations were made “before the actions of the Southern Governors Forum which attempts to place a ban on open grazing and other acts of politicking intended by its signatories to demonstrate their power.”

    According to the statement, “It is very clear that there was no solution offered from their resolutions to the herder-farmer clashes that have been continuing in our country for generations.

    “But the citizens of the southern states – indeed citizens of all states of Nigeria – have a right to expect their elected leaders and representatives to find answers to challenges of governance and rights, and not to wash their hands off hard choices by, instead, issuing bans that say: “not in my state.”

    “It is equally true that their announcement is of questionable legality, given the Constitutional right of all Nigerians to enjoy the same rights and freedoms within every one of our 36 states (and FCT) -regardless of the state of their birth or residence.

    “Fortunately, this declaration has been preempted, for whatever it is intended to achieve and Mr. President, who has rightly been worried about these problems more than any other citizen in consultation with farmers and herders alike, commissioned and approved an actionable plan of rehabilitating grazing reserves in the states, starting with those that are truly committed to the solution and compliant with stated requirements.”

    The statement further added, “With veterinary clinics, water points for animals, and facilities for herders and their families including schooling – through these rehabilitated reserves, the Federal Government is making far-reaching and practical changes allowing for different communities to co-exist side-by-side: supporting farmers to till their fields, herders to rear their livestock and Nigerians everywhere to be safe.

    “The entire country is acutely aware of the strain the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on public finances, for both Federal and States. Still, given the pressing urgency of addressing the perennial challenges, the federal funding for the project that has been delayed is now being partly unlocked.

    “Actual work for the full actualization of the modern reserve system in a few of the consenting states should take off in June.”

  • Farmers, herders in Ekiti State to register with government or get expelled

    Farmers, herders in Ekiti State to register with government or get expelled

    Ekiti State government has given farmers and herders another two-week window to register with the state government or be ready to leave the state.

    The two-week grace begins on Sunday, March 22. In February, the state conducted a two-week registration of farmers and herders, but not all those involved seized the opportunity.

    Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Olabode Adetoyi, said in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday that the exercise was expedient to ensure that all farmers and herders could be accounted for.

    He added that the registration was also aimed at ensuring peace between the two groups and bringing incessant clashes between them to an end.

    He noted that the exercise was in consonance with the National Livestock Transformation Programme of the Federal Government.

    Dr Adetoyi observed that clashes between farmers and herders posed dangers to human and food security, hence the need to take proactive measures to curb the menace.

    Special Adviser to Gov. Kayode Fayemi on security matters and chairman, herders-farmers peace committee, retired Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana, warned in the statement that whoever failed to register would be treated as a criminal.

    Such persons, he said, would be compelled to leave the state.

    Director-General, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that identity cards would be issued to registered farmers and herders free of charge,

  • Southwest governors, traditional rulers say FG must end open grazing

    Southwest governors, traditional rulers say FG must end open grazing

    South-west governors in Nigeria on Saturday met with its traditional rulers to demand the need for both state governments and the Federal Government to end open grazing.

    The support, according to the governors, could come in the form of government establishing designated grazing areas, setting up feeding mills among others.

    The chairman, Southwest governors forum, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, stated this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting of governors, traditional rulers and security chiefs, held at Oyo state governor’s office, Ibadan, on Saturday.

    In sum, Akeredolu said government at the various levels must devise ways to change the practice of open grazing by cattle breeders.

    Akeredolu said, “We discussed that as we are supporting other areas of farming, like rice farmers and others, the need for government to support cattle breeding is now. And one of the ways we can support cattle breeding is to change the ways and means that cattle breeders are adopting now.

    “So, you can find designated grazing areas where you can graze, you can have feed mills where you can feed, you do not have to trek with your herds from far.

    “But, things that will lead to open grazing in these modern times must be looked at and the state and federal government, in particular, should give support as much as we can to cattle breeders.”Present alongside Akeredolu at the meeting were Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and host governor, Seyi Makinde.

    The roll call of obas present included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan; Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao.

    Also in attendance are Deputy Inspector General of Police, David Folawiyo; Oyo Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko; Garrison Commander, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Adesoji Ogunsugba; top chiefs of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Air force.

    Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Gambari; Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu and the Director-General of State Service, Yussuf Bichi, who were expected at the meeting, were absent.

    Their absence was attributed to bad weather which disallowed them from being able to board their flight from Abuja to Ibadan for the meeting.

    Speaking further on discussions at the meeting, Akeredolu pointed to concerns about the continued influx of foreign herdsmen, unchecked, into the country owing to the nation’s porous borders.

    Noting the tendency for foreign herders to be behind invasion of farms and clashes with farmers, the meeting held that there was need to tighten the nation’s borders.Akeredolu added, “We all agreed that our borders have become too porous and that we need to do something urgently to prevent foreign herdsmen from coming into this country without any form of caution because a number of them have come in with their herds and what they do is of concern to us. “We all believe that our borders need to be checked and we need to tighten our borders so that all those foreigners from Niger republic and those beyond bordering states don’t come in with their herds and destroy our farms.”

    On forest management, the Ondo governor said the Southwest governors aligned with the decision of the National Economic Council (NEC) that states should manage and preserve their forests.

    “We all agreed that the time is now that we support the decision of National Economic Council (NEC) about forest management and that they believe that all the states should be in a position to manage their forest and that will give enough room for you to determine who is there, what purpose are they serving, and where you have people illegally.

    “The state should be able to take some steps so that you can preserve our forest,” Akeredolu added.

  • Herders’ menace: Let’s weigh el-Rufai, Ganduje’s proposals, By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Herders’ menace: Let’s weigh el-Rufai, Ganduje’s proposals, By Ehichioya Ezomon

    By Ehichioya Ezomon
    Are we finally coming to grips with the rampaging activities of bandits/kidnappers prowling the highways and forests across Nigeria, with accompanying deaths and destruction, and occupation of farmlands, communities and states’ forest reserves?
    The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) seems to toe Governors Abdullahi Ganduje and Nasir el-Rufai’s approaches to solving the issue of herders’ criminality from the North to South of Nigeria.
    While Ganduje calls for banning of herding of cattle from North to South, el-Rufai proposes taking out rather than appeasing the bandits operating from the forests in the North-West zone.
    Rising from their 25th virtual meeting on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, the NGF endorsed ending “open, night and underage grazing in the country,” but with a caveat against profiling of ethnic groups because of a few criminally-minded individuals.
    “Following an update from governors on the various initiatives taken by state governments to address the rising insecurity in the country due to the activities of herdsmen, members reached a consensus on the need for the country to transition into modern systems of animal husbandry that will replace open, night and underage grazing in the country,” the governors said in a communiqué.
    “The forum respects the right of abode of all Nigerians, and strongly condemns criminality and the ethnic profiling of crimes… in an effort to frame the widespread banditry and herders-farmers crises.
    “In the light of the economic and security risks that have arisen from these circumstances, the forum resolved to urgently convene an emergency meeting of all governors.”
    Why, if not self-serving, would the forum quarrel with profiling of the bandits, who’ve repeatedly flaunted their ethnicity, which they claim gives them the audacity to do anything to other ethnic groups in Nigeria? Ganduje and el-Rufai, who’re Fulani, haven’t denied the ethnicity of the bandits that hold Nigeria by the jugular.
    Ganduje, who spoke to newsmen after a lunch by governors of the All Progressives Congress with President Muhammadu Buhari at his Daura residence in Katsina State, said the halt to cattle movement would resolve herders-farmers’ clashes, and cattle rustling.
    “My advocacy is that we should abolish the transportation or trekking of herdsmen from the Northern part of Nigeria to the Middle Belt and to the Southern part of Nigeria,” he said.
    “There should be a law that will ban (such movement), otherwise we cannot control the conflicts between herdsmen and farmers and cannot control cattle rustling, which is affecting us greatly.”
    Ganduje also talked about the success of his government’s RUGA settlement in Samsosua Forest, which borders Katsina, saying, “we have succeeded in curtailing the effect of banditry in that area.”
    “So, we are building many houses; we are constructing a dam; we are establishing a Cattle Artificial Insemination Centre; we are establishing a Veterinary Clinic and already, we have started building houses for herdsmen,” he said.
    Ganduje’s advocacy isn’t new. At the peak of the controversial Cattle Colonies/Rural Grazing (RUGA) policies advanced by the Federal Government, he offered to house all herders in Kano State.
    In the wake of opposition by Southern and some Middle Belt states to the Cattle Colonies/RUGA scheme, Ganduje called on “all herders” to come to Kano, promising to provide infrastructure for rearing cattle and engaging in associated businesses.
    But the herders’ umbrella Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) didn’t accept the offer that would grow their businesses, and resolve the clashes between herders and farmers.
    Rather, the herders’ megaphone continues to quote the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as giving every Nigerian the right of free movement and settlement in any parts of Nigeria.
    Yet, the constitution doesn’t grant armed herders of a particular ethnic group the right to destroy other people’s businesses, such as grazing on farmlands, seizure of lands, and sacking, occupying and renaming of communities so vanquished by herders.
    This is the cause of the escalating insecurity, and heightening of tension between the North and South, which sees herders’ invasion as a prelude to occupation of the South by non-state actors.
    Lately, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and an acclaimed activist, Sunday Igboho, gave quit notices to Fulani herders to leave Ondo and Oyo States’ forests, respectively, with Igboho carrying out his threats to sack Fulani herders from communities in Oyo. His property was torched in reprisal.
    So, it’s to avert what polity watchers and ethnic nationalities fear could lead to a second Civil War in Nigeria that prompts Ganduje to advocate a halt to movement of cattle from the North to South.
    Relatedly, El-Rufai, on the Hausa Service of the BBC, said rather than appeasement, as canvassed by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, the times call for taking the “war” to the bandits.
    His words: “I want a situation where security outfits will launch a coordinated war against them by going into the forests to bomb their hideouts once and for all. Anything short of that will not end the current security situation.
    “Why should they (bandits) be compensated after killing people (and) they destroyed their houses? Who offended them? Therefore, I don’t believe in what he (Gumi) is doing: that they should be forgiven and compensated.
    “In fact, if any bandit is arrested in Kaduna State, he will be killed because Kaduna is at war with bandits. They kill without mercy; they don’t believe in the (Islam) religion.”
    El-Rufai’s radical proposal is borne out of experience, having paid out millions to appease cross-border bandits that attacked Kaduna State. The monetary appeasement didn’t stop the bandits’ menace.
    Yet, the governor’s revelation is startling: That the Fulani herders would rather continue with their “lucrative” criminal enterprise than going back to rearing cattle for pittance.
    “The fact is a herder that earns N100,000 in a year after selling his cow, and is now getting N1 million monthly, will never revert to his previous life,” el-Rufai said in the no-holds barred interview.
    “Whoever tells me that the Fulani man that started kidnapping, and receiving millions will agree to go back to his old ways, is only deceiving himself,” he added.
    El-Rufai rejects Sheikh Gumi’s amnesty for the bandits, saying, “most of these Fulani herders have no religion… I don’t share his idea of forgiving the bandits because no wrong was done to them.”
    Sheikh Gumi has been trending on social media, posing in a group photograph with heavily-armed men, whose features looked different from his. Meaning they’re aliens to Nigeria!
    That photograph resembles the one Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State took with a bandit kingpin wielding an AK47 rifle, flanked by a military officer, who looked uncomfortable beside a law-breaker that should’ve answered to the laws of the land instead of being appeased by the governor.
    El-Rufai bemoans the non-cooperation of Northern governors in tackling banditry, stressing, “We, the governors, lack unity among ourselves in this region, in working as one to neutralize the bandits.”
    “We have met, as Governors, on the North-West states that have these security challenges but we couldn’t reach a common ground. Some of us want us to negotiate a peace deal, some of us said no, we should fight them (bandits). That is the problem,” he said.
    But el-Rufai may have an ally in Governor Sani Bello of Niger State, who belongs to the North Central zone. “We in Kaduna and Niger State are talking on how to end the problem,” he said. “The governor of Niger State calls me and we are discussing.”
    While the Federal Government has rehabilitated “repentant insurgents,” viewed as a form of compensation, and some Northern governors have paid out unspecified billions to bandits, their reign of terror hasn’t abated, but spread from North to South.
    But will many of their colleague-governors in the North, and the Federal Government buy into the ideas, to move away from methods that fester and embolden the criminal elements?
    Are the herders and their overlord Miyetti Allah listening to the NGF, and Governors Ganduje and el-Rufai in their approaches to solving the problem of herders-farmers’ clashes, banditry/kidnapping, and the overwhelming terrorism therefrom?
    To avert the darkening clouds hanging over Nigeria, the Federal Government, accused of indifference to or connivance with the herders, should buy into the NGF and el-Rufai/Ganduje proposals.
    Otherwise, particularly Southerners’ imagination would continue to run riot about a hidden agenda to forcefully occupy the limited lands belonging to indigenous peoples, and hand them over to herders.
    * Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
  • Quit notice: Fulani leaders dispute 4000 herders left Oyo for Kaduna

    Quit notice: Fulani leaders dispute 4000 herders left Oyo for Kaduna

    Some Fulani leaders at Ladduga grazing reserve in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna state, together with other stakeholders, have disputed the 4,000 figure published by the media, saying that only 107 herders from Oyo state relocated to Kaduna.

    Malam Ardo Goge, Leader of the Fulanis at Ladduga, told some Peace builders and Journalists, who visited four of the new settlements of the Fulanis from Oyo state, due to the quit notice given to them, that only 107 of them relocated with their children, women and elderly.

    Goge explained that the returnees were initially from the community before they left for the South, saying: “They left the area eight years ago to the South in order to feed their animals and now they are back.”

    According to him, the returnees were peace loving herders, with a good record of promoting peaceful co-existence, even before they left Ladduga community to the South, saying that no herder would arrive Ladduga without the knowledge of the community leaders.

    He challenged journalists and NGOs to prove that over 4000 herders had arrived Ladduga as earlier published in the media, saying that the media should always cross check their facts before posting their news, to avoid unnecessary suspicions.

    “These herders were our own people and we have been living with them in peace and harmony for many years, before they migrated to the south, and now they are back due to threat of attack. They are not foreigners, they are Kaduna state indigenes, it is the crisis that brought them back.

    “we have given them place to stay and we have cleared the bush for them to build new homes with their families,

    ‘”But they lack many things like social amenities, clothes, foods as they came into the state without their normal cows and other animals we are used to seeing them with”

    Dr Saleh Momale, a former Permanent secretary of the Kaduna state peace commission, who is also a resident of the community, said he had been part of the fact finding mission to Ladduga community.

    Momale said that since the report that over 4000 Fulani herdsmen arrived Ladduga community, he had spent a whole day in the forest with some Fulani Leaders moving round to ascertain the number of those Fulanis that relocated from the south.

    “From the facts and figures, we only received the report of only 107 Fulani migrants from the South, who were originally Fulanis from the area that came back home” he said.

    He stated that some of the Fulani herdsmen complained of lack of shelter, food and warming cloths against the harmattan.

    Ibrahim Abdullahi, one of the returnees, reiterated their needs to include food and shelter, as their children were sleeping in open spaces and the ”weather is really cold”.

    He called on Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs), Civil society organizations, NEMA, SEMA, The Red Cross, Interfaith mediation centre and public-spirited individuals to come to their aid.

    Abdullahi also appealed to Miyetti Allah and all Fulani organizations to come to their rescue as they were really in need of help.

  • Miyetti Allah lists conditions to end incessant clashes between farmers, herders

    Miyetti Allah lists conditions to end incessant clashes between farmers, herders

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria MACBAN, in the Southeast, says it will support any policy by the government that seeks to stop the clashes between host communities and the herdsmen.

    Miyetti Allah leader was reacting to the decision of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), on the need for the country to transit into modern systems of animal husbandry that would replace open, night and underage grazing across the country.

    The group maintains that the majority of its members have no idea of mechanized grazing while calling on the government to organize training on that for the cattle breeders.

    Speaking with reporters Saturday in Awka, Anambra State, the Chairman of the Association in the Southeast, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, said about 89 percent of herders had no such knowledge.

    “The government should train us so that we can plan with the modern system of animal husbandry because the majority of us have no knowledge of Mechanized Farming”

    He disclosed that the association in the southeast zone was in support of any government policy that would put to an end, the continued clashes between Fulani herders and farmers in the country. So long the policy would be of benefit to both parties.

    He noted that the National leadership of MACBAN, had banned night grazing, four years ago.

    He, however, commended the southeast Governors for their continued support to the association in the zone.

    Sidikki, therefore urged farmers and host communities where his people were residing to always report any disagreement to the security or other relevant authorities for prompt action to avoid the destruction of lives and property.

    The association listed conditions to be followed by the government to stop incessant clashes between its members and farmers in the country.

    According to Siddiki, “the governors’ position is a welcome development, but for the policy to work as expected, the following provisions must be in place for peace and equity.

    “They are training and re-training of Fulani herdsmen on Mechanized Grazing, provision of land for Ranching in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT and a continue Town Hall Meetings between Government, Farmers and the Herders in the affected areas.

    “I believe with all these, it will bring to an end, the lingering crisis between the farmers and herder in the country, Siddiki added.

     

  • Nigeria police lied, cattle, herders invaded my home – Soyinka

    Nigeria police lied, cattle, herders invaded my home – Soyinka

    The Nigerian police lied when it said only one cow strayed into the compound of the Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, the professor has said.

    Mr Soyinka, in a statement entitled ‘Mad Cows and even madder narratives’ sent to newsmen, narrated how the cattle invaded his home, how they were removed and how the police took time to arrive the scene after they were invited.

    I thoroughly resent the police version which suggests that the cows never invaded my home: home is not just a building; it includes its grounds.

    The police in Ogun had claimed in a statement Tuesday that only one cow stayed into Mr Soyinka’s compound.

    “The entire place was inspected by the DPO and it was established that it was just a case of stray cow as nothing was damaged or tampered with,” the police said.

    Mr Soyinka has now said that the narrative of the police is false.

    “I thoroughly resent the police version which suggests that the cows never invaded my home: home is not just a building; it includes its grounds. And it was not a stray cow, or two or three. It was a herd – we have photos, so why the lie? It is so unnecessary, unprofessional and suspiciously compromised,” Mr Soyinka wrote.

    Read Mr Soyinka’s full statement below.

    MAD COWS AND EVEN MADDER NARRATIVES

    The most distressful aspect of my recent interaction with cows and herders is that it has created a most unwanted distraction from the ongoing life and death Nigerian narrative. One has to take time off to deal with distortions and Fake versions, while students are being reportedly waylaid and killed and/or kidnapped in Ondo and farmers are being slaughtered in my own state. In short, the killings continue even as panels are being launched to enquire into immediate past human violations. For those who truly seek details of the Ijegba incident, I hereby affirm that I was never physically attacked, neither did I attack any cows. The cows and herders did however attack my property – and not for the first time.

    The police need to be very, very careful, learn to be straightforward with public information. Failure to adhere to that obvious, basic form of conduct means that the public will lose total confidence in security agencies and constantly bypass them in times of civic unrest, no matter how trivial or deadly. How on earth could the police claim that my property was not invaded by cattle? It was. My groundsmen knew the drill and commenced the process of expelling them. Fortunately, I was then driving out and was able to lend a hand by vehicle maneuvering. Both cattle and herdsmen were flushed out of my property.

    Once they were outside the gates, I came down from the vehicle and beckoned the herdsmen to come over. At first, they pretended not to understand, then, as I approached, fled into the bush. We thereupon “arrested” the cows, confining them to the roadside, while I sent my groundsman, Taiye, to the police to come and take over. Since they took rather long in responding, I summoned a replacement and proceeded to the police station. On the way, we met a detachment, turned round, and together we returned to the scene of crime. The police wanted to commence combing the bush for the fugitives but I stopped them – what was the point? Keep the cows, I advised, and the owner will show up. Of course, that owner eventually did.

    I thoroughly resent the police version which suggests that the cows never invaded my home: home is not just a building; it includes its grounds. And it was not a stray cow, or two or three. It was a herd – we have photos, so why the lie? It is so unnecessary, unprofessional and suspiciously compromised. The police suggest that I have nothing better to do than to go accosting cows on the public road – to what end? If the police demand proof, the next time such an invasion takes place, I warn that there will be no lack for cadaver affirmation and the police will be officially invited to join in the ensuing suya feast. So please, let us get serious!

    Getting serious means seeking with a sense of urgency, ways of terminating mayhem, impunity, and the homicidal culture being imposed on us through some near cultic business minority who just happen to trade in cattle. It means not giving up on peaceful solutions, but also being prepared for the worst. Those of my line of thought have been working on various ways of sensitizing the nation to the very real and imminent danger issuing from this cattle aberration. The menace, I repeat, challenges us as a cohesive entity and as communities of free individuals, committed to the dignity of existence. Cattle imperialism under any guise is an obscenity to humanity. So let me serve notice that we are about to commence a process of public sensitization; we hope even the police will join hands with the agenda as it progresses.

    A special practical plea: now that the railways are being resurrected, let us make cattle wagons a priority. I grew up with the regular sight of those practical conveyances. It is time to bring them back.

    Wole SOYINKA

    ARI.

    Kemta Housing Estate

  • Expose criminal herders, Miyetti Allah tells members

    Expose criminal herders, Miyetti Allah tells members

    The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Ekiti State, Alhaji Adamu Abache, has directed members to henceforth expose any herdsman seen perpetrating crime in the state.

    Abache said revealing the identities of Fulani herdsmen with criminal tendencies would protect the integrity of herders doing legitimate businesses in Ekiti and disabuse the minds of Nigerians that not all herdsmen are criminals.

    The MACBAN leader spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, during a security meeting organised by the Ekiti State chapter of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) for all ethnic nationalities in the state.

    Speaking at the event where participants brainstormed on how to ensure peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups to tackle insecurity, Abache said MACBAN had banned the use of the underage for cattle rearing in the state.

    He said: “Fulani herdsmen living in Ekiti are for peace and we will continue to live together with our hosts in peace. Our own support will always be to the government of the day for all of us to enjoy peace.

    “But the government should help us by providing identity cards for all members, because the herdsmen are facing a lot of challenges in the forests regarding identification.

    “The government must mandatorily register the number of Fulani herdsmen living in Ekiti. The bio-data must be done through our local government heads. The government must know where we live and where we do our businesses and whoever perpetrates criminal activities can be traced, arrested and handed over to the police.

    “We want to bring to your notice that we have cancelled the idea of using underage children for cattle rearing. I have ordered my people to expose any herder or group of herders found perpetrating criminality, because we want peace and we want to live in peace with Ekiti people.”

    The Head of Hausa Community in Ekiti, Alhaji Adamu Liman, said the issue of kidnapping had been existing for over three decades in the country, but added that it has become more lucrative through payment of huge ransoms.

    Liman submitted that though herdsmen might not have been absolutely innocent of the litany of kidnapping allegations levelled against them, but added that it would also be biased and premature for people to conclude that Fulani herders were solely responsible for the crime around the country.

    “This is where I support this issue of registration as mooted by Miyetti Allah. Government through our royal fathers must know those who live around them, those who are in their farmsteads and what they are capable of doing. This is the best way to curb insecurity,” he said.

    The PCRC Chairman in the state, Mr. Sunday Makinde, disclosed that the meeting was conceptualised to fashion a way of resolving all the litany of security hiccups being experienced in Ekiti in recent time.

    Makinde said the challenges of herders-farmers’ clashes, kidnapping, banditry and rape would be tackled easily with all the diverse ethnic groups making resolute commitment to help the government in tackling the crises.

    “It is better to take proactive action now in order to prevent a conflict that could possibly engulf a whole subregion, and become a humanitarian crisis in the world. All hands must be on deck in order to address all forms of security challenges in Nigeria, as they are happening now,” he said.

  • Herders must register to operate in our state, Ondo insists

    Herders must register to operate in our state, Ondo insists

    The Ondo State Government has said its order on registration of herders in the state is total.

    Following the agreement reached by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and other stakeholders on vacation order issued to the herdsmen to leave the forest reserves in state, the government said the herders have been moving out of the forest.

    The governors and the MACBAN in the communique issued after their meeting on Monday, agree to support the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’ s order on ban on night grazing, under-age grazing, movement of cattle along the highway and within the cities and herdsmen moving out of the forest reserves.

    Speaking on the development on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, said the herdsmen had been moving out of the forest reserves in compliance with the order of the governor.

    He said the government was waiting for the herdsmen to register, adding that many herders had indicated interest in the exercise.

    He said, “We have just started, I am sure they would come. The herders don’t have any alternative but to register and anyone who fails to register will not be allowed to operate in the state. The registration has to be total.”

    Also speaking, the Ondo State Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Garuba Bello, said the herders would begin to register any moment.

    “My people are ready to register; let the government go to the forest and monitor how the herdsmen are obeying the order, “ Bello said.

  • Quit notice to herders: Sunday Igboho’s supporters set Oyo’s Seriki Fulani’s house, 11 cars ablaze [PHOTOS]

    Quit notice to herders: Sunday Igboho’s supporters set Oyo’s Seriki Fulani’s house, 11 cars ablaze [PHOTOS]

    Some angry youths have set ablaze the house of the Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir.

    The house was set ablaze in Igangan town in Ibarapa North Local government area of the State on Friday.

    It was gathered that the house was set ablaze few hours after the visit of Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho to the town.

    Mr. Adeyemo had earlier issued a seven (7) day ultimatum to herdsmen who have been accused of kidnapping, killing and attack on innocent Nigerians in Ibarapa geopolitical zone of the state.

    Public Relations Officer of Jamunatirube, Alhaji Mustafa Aliu confirmed the incident to journalists.

    Abdulkadir also confirmed the attack on his house.

    He said, “As we speak, we are in the bush. Our cars numbering about eleven have been burnt. Some of my children sustained injuries and we are finding a way to take them to the hospital. My children have left their houses for the bush.

    “We need government to help us. Police, operation burst and other security agencies were there when they set my house ablaze.”

    But a close aide to Mr. Adeyemo who spoke on condition of anonymity said the incident must have been after his master had left Igangan town.

    He said, “Sunday Igboho was there not to fight but to appeal to both sides and assure Yoruba residents that there won’t be problem.”