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Tag: Herdsmen

  • Herdsmen/farmers crisis: Nobody roams cattle in 21st century — Oluwo of Iwo

    The paramount ruler and King of Iwo land, Osun state, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, has tackled the Federal government of Nigeria saying that field grazing and cattle roaming is barbaric and should be abolished at once as they do not conform to modernization and 21st century development of any country.

    Mr. AbdulRasheed made this statement during a meeting with stakeholders at his palace focusing on solutions to herdsmen incessant attacks on innocent Nigerians.

    He said no government that wants to move forward will encourage grazing and that there is no place in the world where government acquires land on behalf of herdsmen for the purpose of cattle grazing.

    He added that the herdsmen can either rent, lease or buy lands for pen/byre construction to house their cattle and that it is at the farmer’s or land owner’s discretion to sell to them.

    “The herdsmen got it wrong due to lack of education towards animal farming in the 21st century. The alternative to grazing is pen with sufficient hay storage. This will help restrict the cows to the confines of the pen- which is a controlled area. That is how it is done in advanced country. You can never see herdsmen grazing cattle in Europe,” the monarch said.

    “The herdsmen can even purchase hays to feed the cows, (and) can be purchased from the farmers thereby establishing and sustaining a peaceful affinity with farmers across Nigeria,” he added.

    Mr. AbdulRasheed advised the federal government that the solution to Fulani herdsmen/farmers recurring clash is proper orientation and education on modernized animal farming and not acquiring hectares of land on behalf of herdsmen as grazing zone across the federation.

  • Fulani herdsmen reject ranching, demand subisidy

    Fulani herdsmen reject ranching, demand subisidy

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has said that it would embrace ranching if the federal government gave them subsidy.

    Chairman of the group in the North-East, Alhaji Mafindi Danburam. said this, adding that subsidy will help small herders acquire the necessary tools for their business.

    The national government is proposing cattle colonies for herders following clashes with farmers across the country.

    Speaking to Punch, Danburam noted that the cattle breeders contribute significantly to the nation’s economy and deserve to be supported by the government.

    “Some of these poor herders have between 10 to 30 cows and you say he must ranch. Who will provide water for him? An average ranch costs between N700,000 and N3m and that would not be possible for poor herders to do.

    “So, does such category of persons need to sell all they have to do ranching? Until government recognises that this sector is also contributing to the economy of the state and they begin to give us subsidy, ranching will not work.”

    He noted that, “Another aspect of concern in the law is that it prohibits selling of land to a typical herder until the governor gives approval. Okay, how many of us have Certificate of Occupancy in Taraba State?

    “We are practising traditional method of land ownership in Taraba State and if my wife or parent is sick and I need to sell my land to take them to the hospital, does that mean that I have to get the governor’s approval?en I want to do ranching?”

  • JUST IN: Fulani herdsmen invade Plateau, kill three, raze 12 houses

    There was pandemonium in Huke village, Miango in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State as three persons between 70 and 100 years were confirmed dead and over 12 houses razed during an attack by Fulani herdsmen.

    The victims are Ahmadu Hwie, Odoh Hwie and Gado Kondo.

    The attack according to a report by The Punch happened on Friday night.

    The spokesperson of Plateau State Police Command, Matthias Tyopev, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the killing of the three men.

    He said, “On January 26 2018 at about 18:30 hr, while our men were sustaining patrols around Rafi-Bauna and Jebu-Miango areas, they received information that at about 18:15 hrs of same date, a gang of armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen were seen killing people and burning down houses at Huke village in Miango Chiefdom, Bassa LGA of Plateau State.

    “On receipt of this information, they immediately mobilised to the area. While getting close to the village the suspected herdsmen, on sighting our patrol vehicles, took to their heels. As a result of the attack, some people were shot and killed.

    “They are Ahmadu Hwie (male 100 years old); Odoh Hwie (male 90 years) and Gado Kondo (male 70 years old), all of Huke Village, Miango Bassa LGA. Ten houses were also set ablaze by the same attackers.

    “The suspected herdsmen have adopted guerrilla tactics of hit and run. As such, the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, Jos, Undie Adie, has deployed more police personnel to the area for effective coverage and robust patrol to curtail the incidents of attacks.

    “The CP has also deployed the State Investigation and Intelligence Bureau Operatives to intelligently sniff for information to end the attacks and bring perpetrators to book. Meanwhile, investigation is in progress and members of the public are enjoined to avail the Police with useful information to unravel the remote and immediate causes of these attacks for a permanent solution.”

     

  • Herdsmen killings: Buhari surrounded by bad advisers- Ortom

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday expressed pity for President Muhammadu Buhari while stressing that he is surrounded by a wrong set of people that could not give him useful advice that would see the nation out of the trouble of herdsmen killings .

    Ortom stated this while reacting to statement made by Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali, who linked recent massacre of innocent people by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the state to the promulgation of the anti-open grazing laws and blockade of grazing routes.

    The governor also maintained that the comment was a clear indication that the solution to the security crises confronting the country in not in sight, stressing that the position of the minister was tantamount to “dancing on the graves of those who were murdered in the state on January 1″.

    He said: “If that minister said that, I think I will just conclude that the people around Buhari, our President, are a wrong set of people who are not capable of giving him quality advice and also proffer solutions to the problems we have here.

    “These are people who are supposed to be supporting Mr. President and for their selfish interests, they are misinforming him, they are misdirecting him to do the wrong thing. Killings are going on in the state and you are talking about law, is there any law prohibiting cattle grazing in Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Enugu, Ebonyi, Delta, Bayelsa, Ondo, Ekiti, Imo, Oyo and other states including Zamfara? Ortom described the statement as unfortunate, and noted that his administration did not commit any crime by enacting the law which he said would bring the perennial crisis between cattle herders and crop farmers to abrupt end.

    The governor stated that people of the state would continue to be law abiding in the face of unprovoked attacks until justice was done. He noted that despite continued attacks on his people by armed Fulani herdsmen which he said are known, security agencies had tagged them as foreign terrorists from Islamic State In West Africa (ISWA), regretting why immunity which is the prerogative of the President, the Vice President as well as governors and their deputies had been extended to cattle and Fulani herdsmen by the present administration.

    He added: “I have thought that immunity in this country belongs to the President, the Vice-President, governors and deputy governors, but by what I heard from the minister, if he said it, it means the federal government has provided immunity for Fulani herdsmen who killed, maimed and raped our women, they have also provided immunity for cattle in Nigeria which is very wrong.”

    Ortom who asked the minister to apologise to the government and people of the state for the statement which he said was an insult to the state, described the security challenge in Benue as an ugly monster that is capable of consuming the entire country if nothing is done to tackle it headlong. He advised the Federal Government to rise up to the challenge confronting states since it is its responsibility to provide security for the lives and property of the citizenry.

  • States enacting anti-open grazing law to blame for herdsmen killings – FG

    The Federal Government on Thursday blamed the passage of anti-open grazing law in some states as the cause of the recent killings by Fulani herdsmen in the affected states.

    Recall that the herdsmen recently murdered over 60 people in Benue State. Governor Samuel Ortom had also alleged that he had earlier informed the federal government of the impending danger but was not responded to. A statement that was vehemently denied by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    The federal government furtther noted that the “remote” cause of the violence was the violation of areas demarcated over the years as grazing reserves.

    Benue, Taraba and Ekiti are some of the states where the anti-open grazing law has taken effect.

    The laws were enacted after several states suffered deadly violence often blamed on herdsmen.

    Hundreds of Nigerians were killed in the first two days of this year in some of these clashes in Benue and Taraba states.

    The Benue State government organised a mass burial on January 12 for 72 of the victims of the killings in Logo and Guma local government areas of the state.

    Speaking on the plans by the federal government to check the deadly clashes between farmers and herders, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, said the anti-open grazing law sparked off the clashes.

    Mr. Dan-Ali, who was briefing State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of security chiefs with President Muhammadu Buhari, urged Nigerians to learn to accept foreigners in their areas.

    He also said it is illegal for state governments to set up and arm forest guards.

    “Whatever crisis that happened at any time, there has to be remote and immediate causes,” the minister said.

    “What are the remote causes of this farmers/herders crisis? Since Independence, we know there used to be a route whereby these cattle rearers use.

    “Cattle rearers are all over the nation, you go to Bayelsa, you see them, you go to Ogun, you see them. If those routes are blocked, what happens? These people are Nigerians, it’s just like you going to block river or shoreline, does that make sense to you?

    “These are the remote causes. But what are the immediate causes? It is the grazing law. These people are Nigerians, we must learn to live together with each other, that is basic.

    “Communities and other people must learn how to accept foreigners within their enclave, finish!” he said.

    Mr. Dan-Ali faulted the decision by some states to set up and arm forest guards, saying it is illegal.

    He said fully armed militia were arrested in some states, adding that killings were from all sides.

    To check the crisis, the minister said the quarterly security meeting with President Buhari decided to set up a commission on small arms proliferation in the country.

    He said the decision was “in compliance with the presidential directive for the establishment of National Commission on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the country.”

    He said the Ministry of Defence, in conjunction with the office of the National Security Adviser, “has set up a committee to work out modalities to transform the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, PRESCOM, to a National Commission”.

    He said the committee will be inaugurated Thursday at the office of the NSA.

    Mr. Dan-Ali also said the meeting discussed the issue of the purchase of “Super Tucano” aircraft from the United States of America, USA.

    He said the meeting discussed the terms and conditions of the purchase “and agreed that the conditions are a bit stringent”.

    He said the meeting resolved that the Defence Minister and the NSA should meet with the USA Ambassador to Nigeria to review some of the conditions.

    He said the cost of the aircraft is $494 million, including for training and maintenance capabilities.

    “However, deadline for the payment was given as February 20, this year,” he said.

    The Defence Minister said the meeting discussed “some of the issues at hand, that is the farmers/herders crisis, which the IG gave full details”.

    Mr. Dan-Ali said the formation of the commission on small arms proliferation is one of the key measures being taken to curb the wanton killings in the country.

     

  • Herdsmen attacks: APDA rejects establishment of cattle colonies, vows to dislodge APC in 2019

    The Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA) has urged the Federal Government to opt for establishment of grazing reserves as a strategy to address herdsmen/farmers clashes.

    The National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Shittu, gave the advice in a telephone interview.

    Shittu said that grazing reserves would promote peace between farmers and herders and boost the economies of states.

    He urged the government not to consider creating cattle colonies which, he said, were alien.

    “We hear of a plan by the Federal Government to create cattle colonies where herders can breed their cattle to stop clashes.

    “We advise that the government should rather establish grazing reserves not only to achieve peace but to promote development in states.

    “Cattle colonies are alien to our Constitution. Some people might take the word “colony” to mean dominance or occupation.

    “Grazing reserves can be used by all herders whether they are Fulani or not, and it can go a long way to boost the economies of states,” he said.

    He urged the government to let states know the economic value of grazing reserves, particularly its impact on food security.

    Shittu condemned the recent killings in Benue, Taraba and some other states but advised that the killings should not be attributed to all Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria.

    He said that trans-border criminals might be hiding under Fulani herdsmen to unleash terror on innocent Nigerians.

    Shittu said that cattle’s rearing was a viable business all over the world, and that Nigeria could earn much forex from it.

    He urged the government to toe the line of Botswana and the Netherlands earning huge revenues from cattle export though massive investment in cattle breeding.

    On the 2019 elections, Shittu said that the party had begun preparations to succeed.

    He said that although the party was new, it had presence across the country and would do well in the elections.

    “It is wrong for anyone to see APDA as a party that can’t dislodge the APC.

  • Security agents working hard to stop herdsmen attacks – Buhari assures Nigerians

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said he is committed to ending the recurring clashes between native farmers and nomadic herdsmen in different parts of the country.

    He said security agents deployed to affected areas would achieve the feat in no distant time.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President gave the assurance while receiving the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    “The President assured Nigerians that the rising attacks on communities by herdsmen will soon be brought under control by security forces deployed to the vulnerable areas across the country.

    “He said the unfortunate incident of attacks, which had resulted in loss of lives and properties, had already brought sorrow and hardship on many Nigerians, with the government deeply affected,” the statement read.

    The President also said his administration remained resolute and focused on delivering on the three-pronged promises of “securing the lives and properties of Nigerians, halting the pillage of the economy by corrupt public officials, and creating employment opportunities for the youths.”

    He said the initial economic challenge posed by recession was already dwindling, with the economy smarting out and posting better results on falling inflation rates, higher foreign reserve and better ranking on ease of doing business.

    “If you look critically into the 2018 budget, we have already taken into account key issues of more stable electricity, construction of roads and rails, and the airport concession,” he said.

    The President said the government would work more to accelerate and increase momentum in agriculture, power, gas, manufacturing and processing, while commending the Chinese government for its support in improving infrastructure in Nigeria.

  • ‘Herdsmen calling for war’ says Afenifere over invasion, destruction of Falae’s farm

    ‘Herdsmen calling for war’ says Afenifere over invasion, destruction of Falae’s farm

    Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has reacted to yesterday’s invasion, destruction of the farm of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae, located at Ilado near Akure, the Ondo State capital, by herdsmen.

    Reacting, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin said: “It is continuation of the declaration of war by armed Fulani herdsmen, who have been terrorising communities and are now burning farmlands.

    Now, they have gone to Falae’s farm. These people have made up their mind to go to war or have their way and the authority has refused to call them to order.

    The latest on Falae’s farm is clearly unacceptable, an aggression by the Fulani and they should be rest assured that the Yoruba nation will not take it likely. “If they think that with all these they are doing, they will have one inch of land for cattle colony in any part of Yoruba land, they should forget it.”

    Meanwhile, Olu Falae Falae’s personal assistant, Captain Moshood Raji (retd) has confirmed the incident to newsmen.

    He said the herdsmen destroyed five hectares of oil palm plantation worth millions of Naira.

    Recall that Falae’s farm had, before now, been invaded by the Fulani herdsmen destroying crops worth millions of Naira as the invaders grazed their cattle.

    Reacting to the destruction, Afenifere said the Yoruba nation will not take the onslaught lightly while stressing that herdsmen are calling for war by their actions.

    The former Minister of Finance, however, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to call the herdsmen to order, just as the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adeyanju visited the farm to assess the extent of destruction. He said the damage was much and that the fire was still raging at press time.

    Falae lamented that “The Fulani herdsmen have again burnt my farm. They do that every year. As I speak to you, the Akure Police Area commander, my Personal Assistant and farm manager have visited the place.

    The state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has called me to confirm the incident and has also promised to visit the farm tomorrow.”

     

  • BREAKING: Herdsmen invade, set Olu Falae’s farm ablaze

    BREAKING: Herdsmen invade, set Olu Falae’s farm ablaze

    Former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has raised an alarm over an invasion of a farm belonging to former Secretary of the Government of the Federationn, SGF, Chief Olu Falae, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    Fani-Kayode who made the outcry in a statement forwarded to TheNewsGuru.com via mail on Sunday alleged that the herdsmen had set the entirety of Chief Falae’s farm ablaze.

    His words, “Fulani terrorists have just set Chief Olu Falae’s entire farm in Ondo state on fire. The place is ablaze right now.

    “Baba Falae is one of the most respected and reverred leaders of Afenifere and the Yoruba nation. Only two years ago the same Fulani terrorists kidnapped him and almost killed him.

    “I ask Buhari and Miyetti Allah, does he deserve this? Is this fair? How many more people have to die and how many more farms have to be destroyed before you will call these barbarians to order and bring them to book?”

    As at the time TheNewsGuru.com filed this report, every attempts to reach Falae proved abortive.

     

    More details soon…

  • Alaafin cautions traditional rulers over herdsmen, farmers crisis

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola AdeyemI on Sunday cautioned traditional rulers across the country over the incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

    Oba Adeyemi who is undoubtedly the longest serving in the country insisted that unguarded public statements from the traditional stool can worsen the clashes that is now becoming a national crisis.

    He sounded the note of warning in a special statement issued and signed by him and sent to TheNewsGuru.com on Sunday.

    Read full statement below:

    HERDSMEN CRISES: NEED FOR CAUTION BY SOME TRADITIONAL RULERS

    With every sense of modesty with truth however, I make bold to say that among the first class traditional rulers in the country, I stand as the one longest on throne so far. On this statement, I stand to be corrected.

    With that, it follows that I have acquired experience more than any other traditional ruler across the country in relation to traditional rulership and political development of the country especially with regard to crisis resolution within the polity whether ethnic or religious.

    It is on this note that I am appealing to all traditional rulers in the country especially those who are relatively new on the exalted throne, to be cautious and indeed circumspect in their public utterances especially in the trying period of the country’s sovereignty and national unity.

    The greatest challenge facing the country at the moment is the herdsmen otherwise known as Miyetti Allah Cattle breeders. The recent Benue state experience is too fresh to be forgotten so soon.

    While it is true that there had been co habitation between the Fulanis and indigenes in various communities in the country, this however is with the Fulani herdsmen not wearing political colouration.

    For instance, the use of firearms including AK 47 gun to protect cattle is a complete novelty to what hitherto used to be a business endeavour. In those days stick was the only weapon with which the breeders directed their cattle. When was it the practice that Fulani breeders would arm themselves to teeth just to protect their cattle. In the past, part of the guidance which breeders gave to their cattle was to ensure that they did not destroy farm crops along their ways.

    But today with the arm at their disposal, some Fulani breeders choose to target green leaves of farmers’ crops as good protein for their cattle and therefore lead their cattle aggressively to that direction. The big question therefore is that how do those cattle breeders come across the sophisticated weapons with which they arm themselves as if they are going to war. This is the task before the various security agencies to unravel in the interest of peace and unity of the country.

    It is unfortunate that some highly placed traditional rulers should see the recent Benue incident as a justified reprisal quoting fictitious and imaginary figures of similar incident that had happened at another neighbouring state.

    It is not only laughable but indeed ridiculous that as many as Eight hundred Fulanis with an imaginary one million cows would have been killed in one single attack without any documentations or report.

    The level of mass communication in the country had gone beyond that dark age in sophistication and modernity.

    The hands of any responsible traditional rulers should not be seen in any religious or ethnic justification in the present situation. Rather the institution of traditional rulers should use both individuals and collective efforts to quell the crisis from further escalation. That is what is expected of royal paternity.

    Africa and Diaspora are watching Nigeria; the United Nation is watching us; President Muhammad Buhari has been boxed into a cul-de-sac by his kith kin the Fulani herdsmen. Let us help him to get of the quagmire.

    If the home of the Fulani is as far West as North of Sierra Leone, i.e Futa Jalon Hills; and their kith and kin live in the cities and they make a substantial population in the Northern Nigeria townships, equity demands that the government at all levels and the people as citizens; should proffer a solution that makes peace that platform and goodwill, its anchor. We have managed in Oyo area to ensure that the cattle herdsmen are kept in proper place and the farmer’s crops and interest are adequately protected. Dialogue is the first option. War destroys Peace is to be preferred!

     

    IKU BABA YEYE

    Oba (Dr) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, JP, CFR, LL.D, SAP, D.LLTS, DPA