NORTHERN GOVS URGE FULANI HERDSMEN TO EXPOSE DEVIANTS IN THEIR MIDST
Olorunfemi Ojo
Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has called on Fulani associations to expose deviants in their midst who perpetrate evil in northern part of the country.
The forum according to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN report made the call at its meeting with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and other Fulani associations on Thursday night in Abuja.
The meeting, which ended at 11.30 p.m., was convened to deliberate among other issues, the incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in northern states.
The clashes, according to the forum, is posing serious security challenges to the region and other parts of the country.
Reading a communiqué of the meeting to newsmen, the forum Chairman, Gov.Babagida Aliyu of Niger, also called on members of Fulani associations in the region to encourage their wards in their educational pursuit.
“We recognise that the nomadic education, as conceived, will not solve the purpose, so we welcome the idea of settling the Fulanis so that they could enjoy the two world of educational pursuit and rearing their cattle without to much movement.”
He stressed that it was important for the Fulanis to expose deviants in their midst following insinuations that most crimes committed in their names were actually perpetrated by other strangers.
The governor said that people with evil tendencies now dressed like Fulanis to commit crimes.
He decried sporadic killings of law abiding citizens by bandits camouflaging as herdsmen.
Aliyu, however reiterated the resolve of the forum to ensure the protection of lives and property of citizens at all levels as a constitutional responsibility.
The governor onbehalf of his colleagues said that the forum would look at the possibility of paying compensation particularly where cattle rustlings were involved.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for drawing up an action plan to address the issues of grazing reserves, cattle routes and provision of amenities in Fulani settlement.
This, he said, encouraged transition to intensive sedentary system of livestock production where pastures could be planted and harvested.
“Having received presentation from Fulani associations on the causes and possible solution to the lingering dispute between herdsmen and farmers, the forum resolved that member states would hold meeting
with relevant stakeholders to evolve lasting solution for lasting peace.”