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Tag: Fulani herdsmen

Senate rejects report linking Fulani herdsmen, Benue militia to killings
The Senate Wednesday rejected report of its committee on Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence which linked the unabating killings in Benue State to Fulani Herdsmen and Benue militia men.

The upper chamber said that the report is incomplete because it quoted the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris copiously while it did not feature the position of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

The lawmakers agreed with the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki that the committee should go back and complete its assignment and report back within one week.

The Senate at its sitting on 31st January, 2018 considered a Personal Explanation by Senator Joshua Lidani who drew the attention of the Senate to its resolution on the Ad-hoc Committee on Security visit to Benue State which stated “that the Senate do urge the Inspector General of Police to within Fourteen (14) days apprehend and investigate the perpetrators of this act; and the Benue State Attorney General to prosecute the offender(s); and resolved to; “Mandate its Committees on Police Affairs; and National Security and Intelligence to summon the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on 1st February, 2018 and report to the Senate on 6th February, 2018.

The 23 member committee was chaired by Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim.

Senator Ibrahim noted in his report that the Inspector General of Police appeared before the committee on Friday, 2nd February, 2018 and in his written presentation, IGP briefed the committee as follows:
1. i) That following the outbreak of violence in some parts of Benue State, he led a team to commence on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the state with visits to flashpoints of the crises such as Logo and Guma LGAs in Benue State and Tunga in Nasarawa State.
2. ii) That thereafter, a stakeholders meeting was convened on Thursday, the 4th day of January, 2018 at Markurdi, Benue state, where he met with the Governor of Benue State, Religious Leaders, Traditional Leaders, Opinion Leaders and Civil Society Organizations.
3. ii) That the meeting in Benue State was meant to interact with the State Government and other Stakeholders with the view to finding lasting solution to the lingering crisis in the state.
4. iv) That on the strength of claims by the Benue State Governor at the stakeholders meeting alleging that there exist armed Militia camped in Tunga, in Awe LGA of Nasarawa State awaiting to unleash Mayhem on Benue people, he further visited Nasarawa State for facts finding and engagement with stakeholders there, where he found that those claims were untrue.
v) That between the 31st day of December, 2017 and the 31St day of January, 2018 over Twenty-One (21) attacks have been recorded in Benue State, noting that while Eleven (11) were believed to have been carried out by groups suspected to be Fulani Herdsmen, Ten (10) were believed to be carried out by suspected Tiv Militia groups.
1. vi) That having visited the flashpoints of the crisis and assessed the magnitude of the problem, the Police immediately intensified deployments of personnel, including ten (10) PMF Units, a Unit of Police Special Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordinance Department to Benue State and Five (5) additional PMF Units to Nasarawa State, while Aerial Surveillance has been intensified around the two States.
2. vi) That a total of One Hundred and Forty-five (145) suspects have been arrested, out of which One Hundred and Twenty Four (124) have been charged to court, while Twenty One (21) others are still under investigation and awaiting to be charged to court.
viii) That while the Police is doing all that it could to restore normalcy in the State, it is important for the State Government and relevant Stakeholders to engage in continuous dialogue for peaceful coexistence.

In its observation and findings the committee said:

That there is a wide gap and serious defect in the intelligence gathering mechanism of the Nigeria Police and its subsequent counter operations due to inadequate funding.

That Local Government councils have been rendered ineffective thereby unable to deal with security issues before they snowball to crisis.

That inflammatory statements, utterances and actions of some politicians and opinion molders have been found to be promoting hatred and inciting violence.

That there is massive proliferation of arms and ammunition in Benue State and across the country in general.

It recommended that 1) The Nigeria Police Force should strengthen and fully utilize its intelligence gathering capabilities

2) The Police is grossly underfunded, therefore it is recommended that a percentage of excess crude oil fund of about 2 dollars should be made available through appropriation to the Police in order to beef up its operations.

3) Politicians and opinion leaders should desist from statements capable of inciting violence.

4) Deliberate steps should be taken to disarm all armed militia groups in Benue State and in the country in general.

5) The Inspector-General of Police should speedily prosecute those arrested and intensify efforts to arrest those still at large.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu was the first to fault the report when he said that the committee should have invited the state governor who was mentioned severally by the Inspector General of Police for his comment.

Ekweremadu said, “Let me start by commending Sen. Abu Ibrahim for this report and the effort to bring it back on time. I just have one single observation. I noted that in the statement made by the IGP, he copiously mentioned the governor of Benue in most of the paragraphs but I didn’t see where the committee made an effort to speak with the governor. Because if in the circumstance, they did not interview the governor, and his name has been mentioned in respect to certain statements and actions, it would only be fair to him, to be invited by the committee and hear his own side of the story so that we have a balanced view of what transpired.”

Also Senator George Akume (Benue North West) also faulted the report and descended heavily on the Inspector General of Police for “misleading Nigerians on what happened in Benue State.”

Akume said, “I have gone through this summary, what I want to say is that this report would have been more rounded if the governor who has been so massively accused by the IGP was also invited to make input into it. The committee would have had opportunity to interact with him. I am informed that the mandate of the committee was restricted to the office and person of the IGP. And the IGP said he moved immediately to Benue state.

“He didn’t move to Benue state on his own. Following out cries from the senate, the president directed him to relocate to Benue state for one week. He went to the state and stayed there for one day. He spent two days in Nasarawa and he left. His comment has always been very jaundiced. They are not based on professional soundness and they do not show any detachment and impartiality. As far as this issue is concerned. I want to draw your attention to page 3 subsections 4 that based on claims by the Benue state alleging that there exist armed militia camps in Tunga in Awe local government of Nasarawa state, waiting to unleash mayhem on Benue people. He further visited Nasarawa state, fact finding and engagement with stakeholders there.

“Those claims are untrue. What he is saying is not true. Every security agency has made comments on this. Huge numbers are there, and many of them are from outside the country and they are armed with assorted weaponry system. It is unfair to this country for IG to make this comment on what the governor said which is untrue. What he is saying is untrue. What the governor said is true and it is from there that they moved and we have seen video clips of them moving to Benue and very well armed.

“He said in Benue State, that there are livestock guards and this has been the issue that have been repeatedly made by media but we have thousands who are moving with AK-47 freely and they have not been arrested. As we speak, people are being killed in Benue, Nasarawa, Zamara and Taraba States. It is not that we a talking anything out of the ordinary. We are simply saying that there are armed people who are going round killing our people. For me, it has nothing to do with religion. It has everything to do with mischief and economic deterministic. The IG has not been fair to the Nigerian people whom he has sworn to an oath to serve.”

The submission of the Inspector General of Police to the committee obtained by our reporter said: “On the strength of the various claims at the stakeholders’ meeting, I (IGP) visited Nasarawa State for facts finding/stakeholders engagement.

“However, the meeting at Nasarawa was a complete opposite of what happened at Makurdi. Stakeholders from Nasarawa in a revised narrative of the incidence in Benue State attributed the clashes to the untimely, unnecessary, unfriendly Anti-Grazing Law enacted by the Benue State Government.

“The stakeholders in Nasarawa State submitted that since the law was a prohibition of open grazing and establishment of ranches, the implementation of the law to ban open grazing in isolation of recommended provision of ranches as proposed by the law itself, was simply provocative and insensitive as such, a catalyst for conflict.”

The IGP told the committee that Nasarawa stakeholders also debunked the allegation of existence of militia group any part of Tunga community in the state and cited the Anti-Grazing Law of the Benue State Government as the remote and immediate cause of the conflict.

The Inspector General of Police added: “In view of the foregoing, there is indeed no doubt that the implementation of the Anti-Open Grazing Law by the Benue State Government as expressed by stakeholders in Nasarawa State and Ayim in Benue State, is the root cause of the crisis.

“This is exacerbated by the recruitment and arming of untrained Civilian JTF/ Livestock Guards with prohibited firearms whose composition is lopsided and comprising majorly persons of Tiv Ethnic Nationality.

“Also worthy of mention, is the public display of corpses, coupled with unguarded and inciting speeches by the Benue State Governor before and during the mass burial of the victims of the crisis.

“These utterances renewed tension leading to youths of Tiv ethnic group unleashing violent attacks on the residents of Wadata, Wurukum, Northbank and Angwan Jukun areas of Makurdi on Saturday 13^th January, 2018.”

According to the police boss, “The establishment of a vigilante group of youths composing of only Tiv ethnic tribe at this critical occasion is a recipe for crisis. In addition, arming them with prohibited firearms (AK-47) has aggravated intra tribal and inter communal clashes especially the Shittile Militias of Katsina-Ala and Livestock Guards of Ukum LGAs of the state which resulted to loss of lives and destruction of hundreds of houses and properties.”

Idris told the committee that from the beginning of the crisis on 30^th December to date, at total of 145 suspects were arrested out of which 124 suspects were charged to court while 21 suspects are under investigation and awaiting to be charged to court.

Among others, the police boss suggested that Benue State Government should revisit the Anti-Open Grazing and Establishment of Ranches Law with the aim of first providing ranches with the aim of a gradual implementation.

Re-establishment or bringing out of known cattle routes that hitherto used to exist.

Disbandment and disarming of the Livestock Guards, Shittile Tiv Militias and any other militias groups in order to forestall prohibited firearms in hands of unauthorized individuals
February 7, 2018
‘Benue: Herdsmen killed 2000 people in five years’

Not less than 2000 people have been killed in Benue State with properties valued in billions of Naira destroyed by marauding Fulani herdsmen between 2013 and the early part of 2018.

This is even as Governor Samuel Ortom has called for the removal of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mr. Ibrahim Idris for his failure to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of these “heinous” crimes.

Breiefing newsmen in Makurdi ,the State Commissioner for Information, Lawrence Onoja Jnr. said the figure represents the official recorded number of people killed in the state within the period noting that other deaths were not recorded .

Onoja who expressed concern at the recent security situation in the state regretted that authorities have failed to arrest the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who issued the threats and had fulfilled their pledge to launch offensive on Benue communities.

“The leaders of Miyeti Allah Kautal Hore have neither been arrested nor were they invited for questioning, rather different strategies have been devised by some of those saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property to divert attention from the real issues”.

He cited media statements credited to the Minister of defence and the IGP over the Benue killings saying such statements coming from the nation’s top security chiefs may have confirmed the fears expressed by many people that the herdsmen unleashing murderous attacks on Benue may have the backing of some highly placed individuals within the security apparatus of the country.

“When those who are entrusted with the sensitive task of protecting lives and property of innocent Nigerians resort to placing unjustified blames on the good intentions of the Benue State government to promote peace and security, then such people have unknowingly or knowingly become part of the problem we have on our hands today in the country”.

It would be recalled that the Senate recently gave the IGP two weeks ultimatum to arrest and bring to book perpetrators of the New Year attacks on Benue community which he has failed to do until now.

“I insist that Ibrahim Idris, by his comments has demonstrated his incompetence as a Police chief and “we have lost confidence and trust in him since clearly he either lacks the capacity to apprehend these armed Fulani militia or by his inaction and utterances portrayed himself as complicit in the grand plot to disposess our people of their ancestral land by violent means”.

“We call on the Federal Government to immediately relieve Ibrahim Idris from his position as the Police IGP as he has failed woefully in his duties especially as the two weeks ultimatum given him by the Senate to apprehend the killer herdsmen have elapsed without any meaningful arrests of the culprits but has resorted to unprofessionally trading blames rather than confronting the problem without fear or favour”.

He also recalled the the president had ordered the IGP to relocate to Benue in the wake of the new year day killings to restore peace and order saying that available records show that the police chief was sighted in the state for just a day or two after which he relocated to Nasarawa state.

“It is obvious that the Police Boss does not accord any urgency and seriousness in arresting the perpetrators of the mass murder of our people and his body language may have embolden these militia herdsmen to further lay false claim of ownership to the Benue Valley through the so called right of conquest”.

The Information Commissioner insisted that the State Government will neither stop speaking out on the injustices done to Benue nor suspend the Anti-Open Grazing and Establishment of Ranches Law for any reason and urged the police and other security agencies to rise up to their responsibilities by enforcing the law.

February 6, 2018
Suspected Fulani herdsmen kill four in Taraba

Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Thursday killed four persons in Taraba State.

The attack came 10 hours after Governor Darius Ishaku alerted on the attack.

The gunmen attacked Ngutwsem village, Gassol local government area of the state on Thursday night.

The victims included one Mr. Shiriga Vaawombo and his wife Ngunan.

A family relative, who witnessed the incident, said: “When the couple heard gun shots, they crawled out of a room where they were sleeping.

“The husband took the wife to a place he thought was safer. He was returning to pick up their baby when the invaders shot him. His wife then cried out from where she was hiding. She was gunned down too.”

The late Vaawombo’s second wife, Iveren, 35, was all tears on Friday.

The woman told The Nation that she had traveled to Sabon Gida when the killers invaded their home.

February 2, 2018
Benue’ll not succumb to any move to repeal law – Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom says his government would not succumb to any intimidation or move to repeal the open grazing, prohibition and ranches establishment law.

Governor Ortom stated this when he visited Three Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) camps including Abagena, LGEA Primary School Daudu and United Nations High Commission for refugees ( UNHC ) Shelter.

He restated his resolve to continue to call on the Federal Government to rise and stop the killings and displacement of Benue people by Fulani herdsmen as such was the lawful thing to do.

Governor Ortom stated that the federal government with the capacity to stop the killings in the state had allowed People to be playing game with the matter to divert attention by accusing his administration of raising Six Thousand militia men and making inflammatory remarks.

The Governor directed the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Cecilia Ojabo to deploy a team of medical personnel to the Abagena IDP camp newly created to provide health services there.

Governor Ortom also directed that security Personnel be provided at the new Abagena camp housing displaced persons from neighbouring Nasarawa State to ensure adequate security.

He also called for humanitarian assistance from civil society groups,spirited individuals and the international community,adding that the number of displaced persons and their needs far outweigh resources of the state.

Earlier, Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mr. Emmanuel Shior said the Abagena camp has over Six Thousand most of who were from Nasarawa state, adding that relief materials had equally been deployed there.

February 2, 2018
Herdsmen kill 3 elderly men, raze 10 houses in Plateau

A 100-year-old man Ahmadu Hwie and two others were killed by gunmen that attacked Huke, a rural settlement in Bassa Local Government of Plateau yesterday.

The gunmen that burnt 10 houses also killed Hwie Odo, 90, and Gado Kondo, 70.

Spokesmen of Plateau Police Command TernaTyopev confirmed the deceased were killed in their houses by the invaders that stormed the village in the night.

He said that a Police patrol team was moving around Rafi-Bauna in Jebbu-Miango area when it received a distress call from Huke village.

“The team received a report that a gang of armed men, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, were killing people and burning down houses at Huke village in Miango Chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area.

“On receipt of the information, the patrol team rushed to the area but could not apprehend the attackers as they took to their heels on sighting our patrol vehicle.”

Tyopev said that more security men had been deployed to the area to forestall further attacks.

“The attackers have adopted Guerrilla tactics; they hit and run. What we have done is to deploy more men to ensure a more robust patrol in the affected areas,” he said.

Tyopev said that State Investigation Bureau (SIB) operatives had been deployed to the area to source for information that would lead to the arrest of perpetrators of the persistent attacks.

January 28, 2018
Taraba: Ishaku and the herdsmen challenge

How far can Governor Darius Ishaku go in rescuing Taraba State from Fulani herdsmen with the instrumentality of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law? In this report, Fanen Ihyongo examines how the northeastern state is tackling its major headache.

CAN Governor Darius Ishaku end the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers across the state through the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law introduced by his administration? This is the question being asked by many residents of the state who are living witnesses to past efforts to deal with the problem with the provision of grazing routes for pastoralists.

With Nigeria’s population growing at a geometric progression, the need for land keeps expanding,not least for agricultural and livestock purposes.

Much of the land acquired in the past by government for grazing is understood to have now been claimed back by the original owners following government’s refusal to pay compensation ,or some people simply encroaching on the land for other purposes.

In some cases,troops were deployed to violence prone areas. But the troops could not remain there for eternity.Once they departed ,it was back to square one. The current wave of clashes between herders and farmers has now thrown up fresh ideas on how to end the problem,the most controversial being the cattle colonies. Ranching is another popular option.

The federal government wants interested states to provide 5000 hectares each for the colonies.

The word ‘colonies’ simply sounds repugnant ,abhorrent to Governors Darius Ishaku of Taraba State and Samuel Ortom of Benue State whose two states have been worst hit by the latest herdsmen killings.

Ishaku prefers ranching. Indeed,he had come out with an “Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law” which came into effect on January 24.

The law encourages ranches and criminalises open grazing.

He has the backing of farmers while herdsmen up in arms against it. They label it ‘a recipe for anarchy.’

Their representatives have gone to court to stop the enforcement of the law.

They are poised to reject the law by any means possible.

There is anxiety in the state already ahead of the hearing of the case.

Residents readily recall how previous clashes between farmers and herders ended: scores of people maimed and killed; houses, farmlands and farm produce set ablaze.

As it is in Taraba,so it is in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa and Adamawa States.

The fear of Fulani herdsmen is the beginning of wisdom.

The people of Taraba cacnot help wondering whether the security agencies will be able to handle the situation once the law takes off.

Only penultimate Friday, 55 people were gruesomely killed in parts of the state by herdsmen using sophisticated guns, machetes and poisoned knives.

Sources said the killer-herdsmen, mostly hired mercenaries without homes, invaded at night setting homes ablaze, before disappearing into darkness like guerrilla fighters. The 68 bodies recovered by the police and soldiers were given hurried mass burial by aggrieved youths amid fear of fresh raids by the herdsmen.

Unlike in Benue where the dead were buried in brown caskets, the Taraba victims- mostly children, women and elderly persons -were laid to rest without coffin and in shallow graves.

The graves were dug with blunt hoes and shovels to dig the graves.

The bodies, swollen, were recovered from burnt houses, bush paths and farmlands.

A week after the mass burials, no fewer than 28 persons, including a traditional ruler, were killed by Fulani herdsmen in the State.

Farmers accuse the herdsmen of provocation by allowing their cattle to feast freely on their crops.They claim the herdsmen go about with AK-47 rifles and double edged machetes with which they unleash terror.

The herdsmen, in turn, accuse farmers of rustling their cows.

Both sides want protection and compensation from the federal government.

The Taraba State government says it cannot allow the present situation to continue.

On May 17, 2017 Ishaku sent the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment bill to the State House of Assembly.

Opposition came from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria which staged a protest. But several farmers’ associations demonstrated their support for the bill.

Speaker Abel Peter Diah took the bill to the public in the three senatorial districts for their input.

Jalingo, Wukari and Bali were venues of the sittings.

Because of the interest the bill generated, 91 memoranda were received prior to the public hearing which attracted massive turnout.

The majority of the people were in favour of passing the bill into law with necessary amendments.

After the public hearing, the committee on the bill, headed by Mark Useni, submitted its report and recommendations to the House.

The lawmakers subsequently adopted the report and passed the bill. Ishaku signed the anti-open grazing bill into law on July 24, 2017.

“The responsibility lies squarely on me to do all I can to find a lasting solution to the situation that has consumed hundreds of lives, farm produce, cattle and complete destruction of several communities,” he said on that occasion.

“The fact that the activities of these strange herdsmen have seemingly defied all solutions by the Nigerian security system is no excuse for the State government.

“With this burden in my heart, I feel the best thing this government needs to do is to enact a law that would regulate the movement of herdsmen and their cattle within Taraba State. This led to my decision to submit the anti-open grazing bill to the House of Assembly for consideration.”

As suggested by the House committee on the law, Ishaku gave six months as transition period from open grazing to ranching, with effect from July 24,2017. During the six-month period, all stakeholders were to carry out massive enlightenment and sensitisation of the people on the objectives and advantages of the law.

Thus, Ishaku inaugurated two committees to sensitise ranchers and farmers. The Ranchers Sensitisation Committee had the Galadima of Muri Lamido Tukur Abba Tukur as chairman and Hashimu Hammaawa as secretary. Members included Jalo Adamu Buba, Amos John, Nicholas Bala, Muhammad Danburam and a representative of the Miyetti Allah Breeders Association. The Farmers Sensitisation Committee had Abdulrahahman Biyams as chairman and Emmanuel Ukwen as secretary. Members were Salihu Kumba, Henry Jonah, Ibrahim Bitrus, Goodman Dahida and a representative of the All Farmers Association.

Both committees have been working with representatives of the Commissioner of Police, DSS, NSCDC Commandant and the Controller of Immigration.

The committees are to educate cattlemen and farmers to nurture a symbiotic relationship between them.

Pilot ranches were established in the three senatorial zones of the State before the law will finally come into force.

The governor said the land for ranching is enough.

Section 21(1) of the law makes it an offence for any person to openly graze livestock or move livestock other than in a motor vehicle without permit.

Offenders are liable to a fine of N50,000 or one-year imprisonment for a first offender.

Subsequent violations will attract a fine of N1 million or imprisonment of two years.

The State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Sahabi Tukur, is of the view that the measures put in place by the State government are not enough to ensure herders have a smooth switch from their traditional open grazing to ranching.

He said ranching is a more challenging system of rearing cattle. According to him, ranching requires commitment of huge sums of money to acquire land and develop infrastructure for the benefit of the animals.

Tukur said they are exploring diplomatic and legal means of ensuring that the grey areas of the law are resolved amicably rather than taking to arms.

But Governor Darius Ishaku has reiterated that no amount of threats and or blackmail will stop the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition Law. He is insisting that the law was enacted to foster peaceful coexistence between farmers and herdsmen and therefore, it is unnecessary for anyone to try to stop it or inflame violence.

He said ranching is already being practiced in Gembu, Sardauna local government area, and does not understand why it will be difficult to replicate the practice across the State?

In his reaction, Ishaku explained that the open grazing prohibition law remains the only solution to the problem at hand, if all the parties must benefit, without clashes. He told The Nation that the idea of establishing colonies, as advocated by Sanusi and Fulani cattle breeders, was a scheme to colonise the territories belonging to farmers.

Governor Darius Ishaku’s media aide, Bala Dan Abu called on Miyyeti Allah to stop aggravating security situation in the country by his “inflammatory comments.”

He said: “The truth of the matter is that there has never been any genocide against Fulani in Taraba State. Rather, Fulani herdsmen are the ones killing innocent people.

Abu said Fulani elites might be giving wrong information about the crisis in Mambilla. He called on all to support the governor’s peace initiative, which he said, is aimed at promoting peace in the State.

He said that after the crisis on the Mambilla, the Fulani accused the chairman of the local government, John Yep, of taking sides with his Mambilla kinsmen and asked the governor to remove him.

“As a peace loving governor, Ishaku asked Yep to step aside to give way for investigation and he stepped down, and has not been given any appointment anywhere. Just recently, the investigative panel submitted its report which did not indict the suspended chairman, yet the governor has not recalled him.

“Sanusi wields a lot of influence, he should be careful about the things he says so as not to send wrong signals out there. There is no truth in his allegations,” he said.

Sanusi also said the anti-open grazing law will deepen the indigene/settler dichotomy and make herdsmen feel isolated. The monarch added that he had appealed to the Taraba State governor to delay the implementation of the law in the State but all his pleas had fallen on deaf ears.

But Governor Ishaku said the law means well. “It is imperative to once again assure all citizens that the anti-open grazing law is not directed at any tribe or religion. Cow ownership in Taraba State is not the exclusive preserve of any religion, tribe or group.

“Basically, the law wants to, among other things, change the mode of production of cattle for better yield. This is a step towards modernising cattle rearing, to keep with the world’s best tradition of cow production. Agriculture is undergoing a revolution, both in crop cultivation and animal production.

“This law was not enacted arbitrarily. We had public hearings and collated views, concerns and inputs of stakeholders across the State. We did that to enhance synergy between government and herders/farmers for a better people-centered law.”

January 28, 2018
‘How we lost our crops to suspected herdsmen in Ondo’

A couple, who retired from the Ondo State Civil Service and went into agriculture, Mr and Mrs Igbekele Olukolade, are counting their losses after an attack on their farm at Ilado-Aladiye by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The five-hectare farm is located near Chief Olu Falae’s farm, which was razed last Sunday by suspected herdsmen.

Grown in the farm are palm trees, cassava, coco yams, maize and other crops.

Cows reportedly destroyed the plantation, their dungs littering the place.

Recounting his ordeal, Olukolade, who retired in 1993, said: “The incident was shocking; it happened last Sunday around the same time Chief Falae’s farm was set on fire in the same vicinity.

“Because of Federal Government’s clamour for economic diversification, my wife and I put our meagre resources together and ventured into peasant farming, to imitate my mentor, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

“We permanently employed five labourers and a driver on the farm, thereby reducing unemployment. We suddenly got a message that herdsmen were having a field day on our farm with their cows.

“They ripped off cocoa yam farms, uprooted cassava tubers and entered the plantation farm the same way and ravaged everything on sight. We are still counting our losses.”

Olukolade, who studied in the United Kingdom (UK), wondered why herdsmen were operating on another man’s land freely in Nigeria with impunity.

He said: “We did not expect this sudden damage. We are all farmers in the vicinity. Nobody hates animals, but the herdsmen just came with their cows because they believe they have the right to any portion of land anywhere in the country.

“In overseas countries, even putting cow dungs on another person’s land is an offence, much less grazing on another person’s farm. The herdsmen are fond of destroying the property of farmers. Yet, none of them has been prosecuted

January 26, 2018
Cattle colonies: No Niger Delta land will be used for such – PANDEF

The South-South region of the country has frontally rejected the proposed cattle colonies being proposed by the federal government as its solution to the herdsmen menace, saying no land in the region would be available for such.

Leaders, elders, opinion molders, traditional rulers and political leadership of the region, at a conference held on the platform of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum ( PANDEF ), in the country home of Ijaw national Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, in Kiagbodo, Burutu council area of Delta state yesterday, reached the conclusion.

Besides the rejection of federal government’s cattle colonies plan, the conference also frowned at the continued neglect of the oil-rich region by the current administration, particularly the refusal of government to address the 16-point demand presented to it since November 2016.

The conference, which was chaired by the Convener of the PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, expressed solidarity with the people and government of Benue state over the bloody New Year day massacre, reportedly carried out by suspected Fulani herdsmen, to which more than 70 lives were lost.

It, however, advised the federal government to handle the festering Fulani herdsmen’s issue as a delicate one, admonishing further that the issue of livestock farming should be situated in the commercial realm where it belongs.

“Expressed solidarity with the people of Benue State and other parts of the country where communities have suffered untold menace and brutality in the hands of Fulani herdsmen.

Rejected the idea of setting up Cattle Colonies around the country and advised the federal government to handle this sensitive matter with tact and treat the issue of animal husbandry as commercial transaction which should be left in the hands of relevant stakeholders.

Emphasized that no Niger Delta land will be available for such cattle colonies”, the conference said.

On the situation of things in the region, besides the displeasure expressed on the refusal of government to attend to issues concerning the region, it also called for the sustenance of the Amnesty Programme, which it said had the capacity to keep the region peaceful.

“Noted with concern the slow pace with which the Federal Government continues to handle matters pertaining to the Niger Delta, especially the implementation of the 16-point agenda submitted since the 1st of November 2016.

“Condemned, in particular, the continued refusal of international and national oil companies to show presence in the Niger Delta, including moving their operational and administrative offices to the region. Noted also with, grave concern, the continued delay in the completion of the East-West road and the underfunding of its implementation.

“Expressed worry over the fact that plans are being concluded to issue licenses to modular refineries without corresponding participation from stakeholders in the Niger Delta region.

This notwithstanding, calls on various Niger Delta peoples and communities, especially, the youths and various aggrieved groups to continue to exercise patience and allow PANDEF and its other political leaders to continue dialogue with the federal Government.

“Calls on Niger Delta Political leaders and leadership of intervention agencies such as NDDC, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to show greater accountability in managing resources allocated for various programmes.

“Reaffirms its confidence that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is a veritable tool for maintaining peace in the region. Took decision to send high delegation to the FG to discuss issues pertaining to the Amnesty programme and its continuation”, the conference concluded.

January 25, 2018
Herdsmen set 150 acres palm plantation ablaze in Ibadan

Two years after Fulani herdsmen invaded a multi-million Naira farmland in Lagun village destroying poultry valued at N100million, and maimed six attendants, the herdsmen again on Sunday invaded the palm trees farm of the settlement and set 150 acres ablaze in a night raid operation which left workers on the farm scampering for safety.

In an emotion-laden voice, the farm owner who doubles as a former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr. Dele Adigun told journalists Tuesday evening after inspection of the gross damage inflicted on the farm that “farmers may be forced to begin to take laws into their hands if this stupidity and unguarded arson continue unabated”.

He noted that about 1,500 palm trees were destroyed with value yet to be ascertained as at yesterday morning when he visited the place with a team of security agents.

Said Adigun: “they set my farm ablaze and destroyed about 1,500 palm trees. You recall that six of my attendants were maimed and property destroyed two years ago, precisely March, 2016. We reported to the police and nothing has been done till date. In the 2016 attack, we lost about N100million. And we are yet to quantify this latest attack and that’s what we are contending with now. We have reported to the police and till now they are yet to make any arrest. I am disturbed; I am concerned because we are talking about diversification of economy but with these hoodlums now, there is a problem as many people would not like to go and farm again.

“It is as if the law enforcement agencies are helpless to tackle this menace. What is DSS, police and other security agencies doing that they cannot make arrest? They go to farm at night and set it ablaze so that when it rains, their cattle can be fed with the new grass. How can you destroy someone’s property to feed your animals for your business to thrive? If care is not taken, farmers may be forced to take law into their hands. I hope we won’t get to such a situation. I am seriously disturbed,” a retired Permanent Secretary piqued.

Meanwhile, Oyo state Police Command yesterday called for peaceful coexistence between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers , stressing that there is no vacancy for bloodshed in the state.

The Police Command who read riot act to all who are planning to cause disharmony in the state, appealed to such trouble maker to either leave the state or be prepared to face unpleasant consequences .

Addressing a security interactive forum organised by the state Police Command, the state Commissioner of police , Mr. Abiodun Odude said ” we have to organise this meeting so that we can address some issues that are affecting our farmers and the Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria and we have to take this proactive step in this state so that the existing peaceful atmosphere will not be hindered .”

Odude said “Oyo state is a very peaceful state and we must make sure we do a lot of things in making sure we are having a peaceful society and that is the reason why we are here today.

“We must make sure that we are doing series of meetings with both the farmers and the Fulani herdsmen in the state so that we can address a lot of things that could have cause serious crisis within them, once we are meeting with them some serious issues that can affect both parties will be discussed and settled amicably and in a peaceful manner without shedding blood.”

In the same vein, the University of Ibadan Branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ) has called on Nigerians to stand up for their rights and hold the present government accountable for promises not kept.

He noted that ASUU, unlike Nigerian politician who will say one thing and do another, ASUU as union of intellectual would always fight for the right of the downtrodden.

Omole noted that current administration seems to be taking Nigerians for a ride and prioritizing the lives of cows more than the enshrined right to live of Nigerians in the constitution saying that Nigerians must be ready to hold government accountable for their lapses.

January 23, 2018
No room for herdsmen/farmers clash in Oyo, Police warn

The Oyo state Police Command yesterday called for peaceful coexistence between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers, stressing that there is no vacancy for bloodshed in the state.

The Police Command who read riot act to all who are planning to cause disharmony in the state, appealed to such trouble maker to either leave the state or be prepared to face unpleasant consequences .

Addressing a security interactive forum organised by the state Police Command, the state Commissioner of police , Mr. Abiodun Odude said ” we have to organise this meeting so that we can address some issues that are affecting our farmers and the Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria and we have to take this proactive step in this state so that the existing peaceful atmosphere will not be hindered .”

Odude said “Oyo state is a very peaceful state and we must make sure we do a lot of things in making sure we are having a peaceful society and that is the reason why we are here today.

“We must make sure that we are doing series of meetings with both the farmers and the Fulani herdsmen in the state so that we can address alot of things that could have cause serious crisis within them, once we are meeting with them some serious issues that can affect both parties will be discussed and settled amicably and in a peaceful manner without shedding blood.”

while speaking at the forum, the special adviser to the state governor on security matters , who also represent governor Abiola Ajimobi at the event, Mr. Segun Abolarinwa said “I commend the state police commissioner for organizing this kind of summit and it is because you are very proactive. The peace we are all enjoying in the state is a collective efforts of all the stakeholders in the state as led by the Oyo state police command.

He further said “We don’t want what is happening in others states in the country to happen here and that is why this meeting is very crucial at this time. You can all see that we don’t have a problem with the NURTW and also the level of robbery and other crime have drastically reduced so, everybody are sleeping with their eyes closed and we don’t want anybody to import what does not belong to us here and started creating problem for us, that is why I said this meeting is crucial and we must appreciate the organisers of the stake holders meeting.

“I have the privilege to have lived within the Hausa/Fulani people in Ejigbo when I was so young then and people are living in peace together and it was the Gah fulani that we use to go and buy wara { Milk Cake} and all sorts and we are all living together in peaceful environment, so I don’t want anyone to bring or import any problem that is not ours here.

“we just have to be living together in peace in Nigeria because we are so many and we have to learn how to tolerate one another , for we have no where to run to, God forbids if we have crisis. Our neighbours in right hand which is Benin Republic are just about four million , so, we with our population as many as we are, where are we likely to run to if we have crisis within us? So we need to embrace peace within us and shun all forms of violence.

“We must all allow peace to rein in Nigeria because if we all fail to make sure we have peaceful coexistence in our society our children will have us to blame for it and they will question us , so we must make sure we embrace peace in our society, he said.

In his contribution, chief Saliu Kadiri , Seriki Fulani of Ibarapa area of the state said ” its love that is lost in our society and that is what is resulting to all these killings we are witnessing in our society today and we must all start to embrace peace so that we can have a peaceful atmosphere. “

Also, Elder Taiye Ayorinde, the Baale of Ekotedo, Ibadan said ” Nigerian security is not that strong enough and government must make sure we have a very strong and formidable security so that those people parading themselves as fulani herdsmen can be properly checked, we even heard that those fulanis invaders are not Nigerians and if that is true, what is the duty of our immigration officers and our Customs service too needs to brace up their tactics in curtailing those people.”

January 23, 2018