Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi II, Lamido of Adamawa Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, Professor Ango Abdullahi and Dr Aliyu Tilde have met with the leadership of various Fulani socio-cultural groups and cattle breeders’ associations.
The move was to find ways of ending the recurring violent clashes involving cattle rearers and other Nigerians.
Among the cattle breeders met are the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Katul Houre and the cultural group, Gan Allah Fulani Development Association.
The Emir of Kano said there was on-going effort to ending the lingering crisis between stakeholders and the federal government and urged members of various associations to avoid conflict that would lead to disunity.
He disclosed that at the meeting of the Federal Government’s team, steered by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, useful suggestions were made on forging peace.
The meeting was attended by the minister of agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh; Minister of Interior Abdulrahaman Danbazzau and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris as well Emir Sanusi, Professor Ango Abdullahi and Lamido of Adamawa, among others.
At the Abuja meeting, the minister of agriculture, Audu Ogbeh agreed to send out his officials to trace the gazetted grazing reserves across the country and the need for the federal government to assist herdsmen with feeds and water as it is done in developed countries of the world.
He said stakeholders would also liaise with state governors of Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa and Kano, who have indicated interest in allocating grazing reserves, with a view to developing such.
The Emir also explained that the meeting also resolved that Vice president Osinbajo should explore the possibility of persuading governors who have spoken out against donating land for grazing reserves to jettison such position.
He also disclosed that Inspector General of Police was urged to clampdown on anybody who possesses illegal arms and prevail on state governments not to arm militias.
He urged herdsmen to imbibe the culture of patience and perseverance even in the face of provocation, adding that patience is strength rather weakness.
He urged various Fulani associations to identify criminals within their midst for prosecution, while also appealing to Nigerians, especially the media to avoid ethnic profiling whenever a crime is committed by persons of certain tribe, saying criminals have no tribal marks.
Leaders of various associations in their separate presentations agreed to take the message of peace to their members, even as they agreed with whatever resolutions taken between the stakeholders and federal government in the interest of peace and unity of the country.
*Culled from Daily Trust
