The Nation Newspaper

Tag: herdsmen

  • Herdsmen kill five in Benue

    The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said five farmers in Agatu, Guma and Makurdi councils were killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Sunday.

    Owoseni, who addressed reporters in Makurdi, said the herdsmen attacked Olegobiudu in Agatu, killed three and rendered thousands homeless.

    It was gathered that the assailants overran the villages when about seven boys went to bathe at the river. The herdsmen ambushed the them and killed two.

    Owoseni confirmed that two persons were killed on Sunday in a renewed attack on Agatu by suspected herdsmen. Two others were killed in Tse Semaka, Guma and one person in Makurdi.

    He said the Agatu situation was controlled through  community policing and intelligence gathering.

    Governor Samuel Ortom, who lamented the situation, urged security agencies to improve on their surveillance and be proactive to curtail the killings.

    The governor also said the people were being killed because they chose to follow due process in the regulation of livestock business.

    He spoke yesterday when the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative to Nigeria, Antonio Tose Canhandula, visited him at the Benue Peoples House.

    The governor reiterated that ranching law remain the only solution to farmers and herdsmen crisis.

    He said it was practised in African countries and should be done in Nigeria too.

    Ortom acknowledged the efforts of security agents in containing the crisis, but said more should be done to bring back displaced persons.

    He thanked the UNCHR for its support to IDPs, through donations.

    Canhandula, who was accompanied by the Regional Representative in West Africa, Liz Ahua, commiserated with the government and people on the killings.

    He said their visit was to donate relief materials to Cameroonian refugees in Kwande, adding that they could not do so without identifying with the governor and providing relief to displaced persons.

    Items donated include buckets, sleeping mats, toilet soap, blankets, solar lanterns, cooking pots, jerry cans and insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

  • From Rwanda: herdsmen vs farmers

    I am a member of Senior Course 26 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna.  I was for the course in 2006 and it was during the course that I met two very fine officers from Rwanda.  They were both Lieutenant-Colonels; and they were both Tutsis.  Both of them were battle-hardened and one of them had battle scars to show for it (lost one eye, lost many fingers).

    These two officers gave me a better understanding of the Rwandan conflict from a herdsmen/farmers perspective; and how it was resolved.  I believe we could draw lessons from them.  Below is a narrative of what they told me:

    1. Tutsis and Hutus are basically the same ethnic group.  They speak the same language and they belong to the same religion: Christianity.
    2. Traditionally, the terms Tutsi and Hutu were social classes: a class difference based on ownership of cows.  If you owned more than 10 cows, then you were a Tutsi; and if you owned less than 10, you were Hutu.
    3. Traditionally, you could move from being a Tutsi to a Hutu and vice versa, according to the increase or decrease of your cows. (Their colonial masters tried to tweak it but that is another story).
    4. Tutsis were only 15 per cent of the population, as of the time of the Rwandan conflict.
    5. The underlying factor/remote causes of the conflict, according to the officers, was the dwindling livestock; and a homeland status for the Tutsis. (Many of us know the other political, humanitarian and economic issues).
    6. A bitter conflict ensued and the Tutsis emerged victorious (if that is the correct terminology).  Paul Kegame, who is a Tutsi, became the president.

    Winning the peace

    The people of Rwanda decided to win the peace after the conflict through a “no victor, no vanquished “ arrangement, amongst other deliberate policies.

    This entailed addressing the root problems/causes of the conflict.  One of such problems was addressing the herdsmen (Tutsi)/farmers (Hutu) problem.

    It was agreed that the Tutsi were to be settled with their cows.  The government  would embrace a zero-grazing policy through a feedlot arrangement (not ranching) — feedlots are very small spaces that hold a high stocking density of livestock.  Many people do not realize that ranches occupy large spaces.  The ideal stocking density is two cows per hectare in open grazing.  A hectare is two football fields, side by side — 100 metres/100 metres or 1000 square metres).

    Steps taken

    The government embarked on land demarcation, infrastructure development and replacement of the Watutsi (the Tutsi cows, just like the White Fulani or Red Bororo), with more exotic cows like the Friesian Holstein, that had more milk yield per individual cow, at a ration of 1:3, or even, 1:4.  That meant that the Tutsis could have fewer cows with more yields. Incidentally, one of the officers was then the chairman of the Friesian Holstein Cattle Owners Association of Rwanda.

    The herdsmen (Tutsis) were then encouraged to exchange their Watutsi cows with the more exotic breeds; and to move their cows into feedlots where they could get additional government support/incentives from the government.

    Both groups agreed and the policy was implemented.  They eventually came to realize the importance of each group and their interdependence.  This created a new economy at the grassroots and it was a major contributory factor to peace in Rwanda.  I saw a similar arrangement in Ethiopia in 2010; and it was also working there.

    Rwanda has taught us that the problem of clashes between herdsmen and farmers could be solved/resolved to the benefit of all.  I believe that it could work in Nigeria, with careful planning and execution.

    Lesson learnt

    1. Herdsmen/farmers conflict could happen even amongst people of the same ethnicity and religion, for socio-economic reasons.  We should therefore avoid looking at the current challenges in Nigeria from an ethno-religious point of view.
    2. The settlement of herdsmen is a process and not an event that could happen overnight.  Governments should realize that it would take more than laws to address the challenges.  It would require careful planning by the government at all levels, building of infrastructure, development of a support mechanism, application of realistic  laws and organizing the people for mutual benefit.
    3. The challenges of clashes between herdsmen and farmers are not insurmountable. They could be solved/resolved to the benefit of all in Nigeria.

     

    • Col. Nass is a retired officer of the Nigerian Army and a veteran of the Sierra Leone conflict, where he served as one of the ECOMOG field commanders

  • UniJos ASUU seeks solution to herdsmen/farmers clashes

    Worried by the persistent clashes between farmers and herdsmen, the University of Jos ( UniJos ) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ), on Monday held a symposium where stakeholders proffered possible solutions to the menace.

    In his speech at the occasion, Dr. Chris Piwuna, the chairman of the association, challenged Nigerians to put heads together toward tackling the scourge.

    He said that a state of anarchy was gradually setting in, and warned that Nigeria’s nationhood was under threat.

    Piwuna urged stakeholders, especially farmers, herdsmen, security agencies and the government to be sincere in their approach to the issue, saying that the incessant violence could snowball into unmanageable dimensions if not tackled.

    He regretted the massive human and material losses over time, and called for sacrifices from all sides toward lasting peace.

    The ASUU chairman attributed the violence to a struggle for Nigeria’s limited arable land, and advised government to seek out ways to settle cattle breeders so as to minimise open grazing that had often led to clashes over destruction of crops.

    In his paper, Prof. Omotoye Onorode of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, said that modern cattle rearing system had become “increasingly inevitable” to avert constant clashes between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s rural communities.

    Onorode, in his paper titled: “Herdsmen/Farmers Clashes Today: Ecology, Class and Categorical Politics in Contemporary Nigeria”, said that modern cattle breeding system would take cognizance of equity in land allocation for the two groups.

    “The society is in deep crisis; the old system of symbiotic living is dead and the new system cannot be formed because of the social and political interest not giving room to new ideas.

    “There is inequality in securing land which is the main requirement for these groups. The quest for wealth has subdued the need to chart ways for a peace charter between the herdsmen and farmers,” he said.

    The university don alleged that monies proposed for grazing reserves and ecological funds had been misused by successive governments, while the 1978 land law meant to facilitate easy access to land had only benefited capitalist land owners.

    Noting that prejudices of fear and ignorance had bred distrust among the groups, he said that the problems could be reconciled through more interventions toward ensuring a better life for the rural population.

    In his remarks, Mr Ephraim Sheyin, Zonal Manager, Jos zone of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that suggestions toward ending the violence had often failed because those concerned were not involved in their planning and execution.

    “Government has made many suggestions. Some have suggested ranching, grazing reserves and cattle colonies.

    “These suggestions have often hit the wall because of mutual fear and suspicion caused by lack of, or poor consultation. All stakeholders must be involved in the search for peace so as to reach agreements accepted by all parties,” he said.

    He regretted that most policies were always formulated by elites who had no farm or cattle, and urged government to relate closely with rural farmers and herders since they were the ultimate determinants of the success or failure of such policies.

    Sheyin said that the clashes were purely a direct economic struggle over a limited resource – land.

    “Our land resources are shrinking while human and cattle population is increasing. In 1950, our population was 33 million, but we are currently close to 200 million.

    “The fight is about who should get the limited arable land. Any other thing is secondary,” he said.

    In his remarks, Mr Abdullahi Ardo, Secretary of Miyetti Allah cattle Breeders Associati, Plateau State Chapter, decried the absence of infrastructure in their communities, saying that the situation was breeding frustration among the rural areas.

    He also alleged that the clashes were being fueled by the media who usually draw conclusions about attacks without proper investigation.

    Mr Aboi Madaki, President, Plateau Initiative for the Development and Advancement of the Natives ( PIDAN ), blamed the clashes on land confiscation.

    Madaki cautioned herdsmen against accommodating in their midst, foreign militias usually accused of carrying out the attacks.

    The symposium, which was chaired by Prof. Lami Lombin, former Director General, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, was attended by four former Vice Chancellors of the university.

    NAN

  • Southern, M’ Belt leaders reject Fed Govt $1bn support for herdsmen 

    The Southern and Middle Belt leaders yesterday rejected the $1bn approved by Federal Government and the Council of States to support agriculture and livestock farming.

    The leaders called on the federal government to cancel such financial intervention, arguing that the Council of States that issued the approval was not a body charged with such financial expenditure under the 1999 Constitution.

    Their position was contained in a communiqué after their meeting at the Dappa-Biriye Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    Stakeholders drawn from all the Southern and Middle-Belt states attended the meeting.

    In attendance were Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Tonye Graham-Douglas, Turner Isoun, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Prof. Banji Akintoye, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Prof. Tim Menakaya, Dr. Walter Ofonogaro, Dr. Bala Takaya, Maj. Gen. Zamani Lekwot (retd.), Air Cdre Dan Suleiman (retd.), among others.

    They further called on the Federal Government to take the war against insurgency more seriously and put an end to it.

    They also appealed to the Northern elders and leaders to decisively intervene to end the unwholesome activities of Boko Haram elements.

    The gathering condemned the murderous activities of herdsmen and called on the federal government to use the security agencies to put an end to the menace.

    The leaders asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that a mechanism was put in place to enable the registration of all eligible Nigerians to avoid disenfranchising any part of the country.

    They also cautioned against the registration of the under-aged and non-Nigerians.

    They insisted restructuring of the federation would definitely address the series of national security and developmental challenges being encountered by the nation.

     

     

     

     

  • Police tales of herdsmen exploits

    Police as a vital state institution often defines a society. The orderliness our people experience in Britain, their second home is but a reflection of the British trust in their police, a trust earned by its ability to draw a balance between public safety, social order and individual liberty and freedom. But back home, Nigerians have faith neither in her police that behave like an army of occupation, nor in in our politicians who seem to live on the blood of the people. Unfortunately, rather than address the national question which often defines identity and loyalty, we have chosen to play the ostrich by embarking on fruitless subliminal crusade with campaign line such as “the police is your friend”.

    This perhaps explains why we today carry a burden of ill-trained, ill-mannered and overworked and underpaid disgruntled police force that is answerable  not to the state but ethnic groups and powerful individuals including criminals. People’s police, as we have in Britain, many have argued, can only emerge from community policing which our successive leaders since the end of the civil war have opposed because of a mind-set of control as we had under the military or mainstreaming, as we have under PDP and APC.

    Unfortunately, rather than interrogate reasons for the failure of successive Inspectors General of Police (IGPs) since the birth of the Fourth Republic, the House of Representative last week passed a resolution calling on President Buhari to sack the IGP Ibrahim Idris, over his “lack of capacity” to address security challenges in the country, particularly the killings by herdsmen in Benue State.

    If our lawmakers are sincere, they know no IGP, even if he comes from the moon, can successfully tackle our security challenges with the police as currently structured. This is not because Idris’ appointment, like those of his predecessors, was not based on merit or that he has had to study the president’s body language before appearing before lawmakers to echo the president sentiments about peaceful coexistence without justice. According to him, “to reduce the incidence of clashes between farmers and herders in Nigeria, state governments should endeavour to establish grazing ranches in their various states before enacting laws to prohibit open rearing and grazing”. He concluded by insisting, “It is when grazing ranches are established that herders can be arrested and punished for rearing and grazing on the open places.”

    A structure that sustains an IGP’s arrogance in selectively determining which states laws to implement cannot effectively address states’ security challenges.  This is why it has been tales after tales from Idris and his police even as killings of innocent Nigerian continue in many of the states.

    Only last Friday, there was a report of “five persons in Ughoha and Odiguete communities, in the Esan South-East and the Ovia North-East Local Government Areas of Edo State, who were said to have been ambushed by suspected herdsmen who opened fire on them and later invaded the community shooting sporadically, killing two persons in the process. From the picture painted, the alleged unimaginative killer headsmen that attacked their host community could only have escaped with their cattle with the help of the police.

    The previous  Wednesday,  we were told of how about 500 suspected Fulani herdsmen in military fatigue, wielding AK-47 assault rifles arrived to lay waste communities in Dekina and Omala Local Government Areas of Kogi State. They vanished into the thin air after killing 32 and torching 20 houses.  Again but for the confirmation by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Monday Bala during a press conference, the incident itself sounded like a police tale of no arrest and no clue as to the whereabouts of the killers.

    And if the attack was a reprisal for a 2016 altercation that led to the death of four Fulani herdsmen and an unspecified number of cattle, according to a resident, what did the Nigerian police do to bring perpetrators to book?  Or did they just wait for aggrieved victims to return for their own pound of flesh while they looked the other way?

    More intriguing was the herdsmen attack in Kogi State. This is a state whose governor, Yahaya Bello only in February donated 15,000 hectares of land for the controversial federal government’s cattle colony policy. Of course only Idris and his men who call themselves Nigerian Police by virtue of uniform they wear, have an answer as to why the suspected herdsmen chose to shoot themselves in the leg by attacking their trusted ally.

    The herdsmen’s attack and killing of 23 in Plateau State, another trusted ally is no less intriguing. As in character, the police including the DSS, the grassroot operators, heard nothing, saw nothing and did nothing. Even the 23 bodies recovered at Mararaba Dare, shortly before Rafiki Village on Wednesday, March 14, was done by the military.

    Similarly, in spite of many leads that could have led to the unravelling of notorious killers that feast on their hosts, it has all been tales after tales from the Idris and his men.

    It will be recalled that at the first General Assembly of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace in Abuja, the Sultan of Sokoto as patron of Miyetti Allah had urged the federal government to go after perpetrators of the herdsmen killings, while assuring Nigerians “We will never condone anybody taking up arms to kill innocent citizens.” This was long before the latest round of mindless killings in Benue, Taraba, Plateau and Kogi states. The Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II at the same conference challenged the police to unravel the sources of “AK-47carried by herdsmen in full public glare, where the arms came from and who is arming them”.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also issued a statement only on March 11, claiming – “Labelling the attackers as Fulani is wrong. Fulani people are peaceful and live in harmony with other ethnicities. To call the killer herdsmen Fulani is a misnomer”. Unfortunately so far no one has been prosecuted by Idris and his men to validate or invalidate Atiku’s thesis.

    Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna not too long ago also told us that killer herdsmen “are non-Nigerian Fulani from Niger, Mali, Chad and other such places”. He was also reported as saying some amount of money was paid to the marauders to stop the attack on his people. Without looking at the merits and demerits of his initiative, this was a lead that could also have led to the unraveling of the herdsmen’s mystery of killing, and confiscation of farmlands of victims by killers who, according to police tales, disappear into the thin air after each round of mindless killings.

    And finally if IGP Idris and his Nigerian police talebearers needed  further lead, Governor Ortom provided that when he called the attention of the president during his last visit to Benue: the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore May 30, 2017 ‘World Press Conference’ held in Abuja, where they expressed opposition to Benue  ranching law and ‘called on Fulani herders in all of West Africa to come into Benue to help them reclaim their land’; the Miyetti Allah Cattle Herders Association’s press conference where they ‘declared that more blood will flow in Benue if the ranching law is not rescinded’. Blood has not ceased flowing ever since and there is no evidence Idris and his men have questioned any of these arrogant Fulani leaders despite denunciation of their pronouncements and actions by credible Fulani leaders like the Sultan and Atiku Abubakar.

  • Middle Belt Forum seeks declaration of herdsmen as terrorist group

    The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) yesterday urged the Federal Government to declare killer- herdsmen as terrorists and to set in motion necessary security measures to end killings.

    In a communique after its meeting yesterday in Abuja, the MBF said: “The most frightening part of it is that government, security and law enforcement agencies merely look the other way rather than chase, track and arrest the herdsmen militia to face prosecution.

    “As such, in the middle belt region, lives of human beings are now cheaper than cows. Our communities have become endangered under the full watch of the Federal Government.

    “In fact in Nigeria, herdsmen are worse than Boko Haram. They have killed more people than Boko Haram did in the last two years. Despite the atrocities of this group, however, this government has refused to declare them a terrorist group.”

    The communique was read by its chairman Bala Takaya, who added: “Do we as a people deserve to go through all this? What is our sin?  Who will save us from this menace?

    The MBF also lamented that the troubled states were witnessing: “willful pogrom by the way of ethnic cleansing by the “foreign” Fulani herdsmen just to enable them wipe off all nationalities from their ancestral land. For if not ethnic cleansing, what do we make of unprovoked night marauders attacking our sleeping villagers at midnight by setting their houses ablaze. Shooting down occupants, whether male, women and children fleeing for dear life. Burning to ashes all food barns or arrogantly feed such harvested grains, yam tubers, etc to their animals?

  • SERAP asks UN Council label killer herdsmen as terrorists

    Nigeria’s human rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to the UN Security Council and its members  asking that they appeal to the government  to end killings and destruction of property by suspected herdsmen across Nigeria.

    The organisation urged the council members to visit Nigeria for an on-the-spot assessment.

    The organisation also asked the Council to: “treat the atrocities by herdsmen as terrorist acts, in line with the UN Security Council resolution 2349 (2017), which addresses Boko Haram’s presence in the Lake Chad Basin and calls on all states to combat all forms and manifestations of terrorism.

    “Declaring attacks by herdsmen as terrorist acts would help wake up the authorities to seriously address the threats posed by herdsmen and combat the crimes against humanity being committed against Nigerians.”

    In the letter dated 16 March 2018 and signed by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale,  the organisation expressed “serious concern that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is failing to uphold its responsibility to protect the citizens from increasing atrocities by the herdsmen.

    To SERAP,  the continuous atrocities would pose serious threat to regional peace and security, and by extension, international peace and security.

    “The Security Council must act now to protect Nigerians, including women and children, if the Council is not to be accused of failing the people of Nigeria.”

    SERAP said:  “The attacks by herdsmen have uprooted families, destroyed communities’ socio-economic activities, and taken away their livelihoods and common heritage. These attacks undermine the very purposes and principles of the UN Charter. If not urgently combatted, such attacks may rise to the level of threat to international peace and security. SERAP notes that the first ‘purpose’ listed for the UN is to maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace.”

     “SERAP urges the Security Council and its members to publicly condemn these terrorist attacks, express concern about the protection of Nigerians and communities affected by the violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and press the authorities to put in place special mechanisms for bringing those suspected to be responsible to justice, and victims to receive redress, including adequate compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.”

    “The Security Council and its members should reaffirm that terrorism of all forms and manifestations, such as the growing attacks by herdsmen in Nigeria, are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations. They should also recognise that security, development and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing and are vital to an effective and comprehensive approach to countering all forms of terrorism in Nigeria.”

    “The Security Council and its members should adopt a resolution to: Characterise killings by herdsmen as terrorist acts and mobilise international support for Nigeria to combat these attacks, including for the authorities to adopt and implement measures to tackle the causes and consequences of these attacks and end all forms of terrorism in the country.”

    “The resolution should also call on the UN Secretary-General to carry out a joint visit to Nigeria with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and the African Union Peace and Security Council to investigate allegations of killings by herdsmen and to better understand the root causes of these killings and put pressure on the Nigerian authorities to end them.”

  • Lawmaker provides succor to victim of herdsmen attack

    The lawmaker representing Ovia Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, has provided financial support to Mrs. Patricia Toweh, who was victim of Fulani herdsmen attacked.

    Mrs. Toweh aged 52 and her daughter, Hannah aged 18 were attacked at their farms at Ofumwengbe village in Ovia South West local government area for daring to report destruction of her farm by herdsmen to the police.

    She was inflicted injuries with machete on her forehead and left ear while her daughter was injured in her right hand.

    Omosede provided the financial support when she took a tour of projects she attracted to different communities in her constituency.

    She urged Mrs. Toweh to make judicious use of the money and pledged to continue to pursue policies that would check herdsmen attacks.

    The lawmaker also inspected solar street light at Ofumwengbe village and distribute books and sandals to some schools.

    She promised to use her foundation to boost education for children in her constituency as well as boost health care delivery.

    Mrs. Toweh who expressed joy at the gesture said she has been scared of going to farm since her crops were destroyed.

    She narrated how she has been looking for funds to help her start a business  since her farm was destroyed.

     

     

  • Soyinka condemns spate of killings, kidnappings in Nigeria

    Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Thursday condemned the spate of killings and kidnappings in several parts of the country.

    Soyinka made the condemnation in Lagos while speaking at a programme “The Ripples Dialogue: Rebuilding a Divided Nigeria.”

    He described wanton killings of innocent Nigerians by criminals and herdsmen as “homicidal fiesta”, saying the situation was unfortunate.

    Soyinka said the government’s response to the security challenges was poor, especially those associated with herdsmen.

    He said it was bad for herdsmen to invade and kill people across communities in the country to graze their cattle.

    “The Lake Chad Basin is receding.The water is drying up. But that should not be a reason for herdsmen to attack people in Bayelsa, down in Oyo and Ogun, that should never be an excuse,”he said.

    Soyinka also condemned the abduction of school girls in Daphchi in Yobe State by Boko Haram members .

    He said that the abduction would have been prevented if those saddled with ensuring security in the school had done the right thing.

    The Nobel laureate described Boko Haram as “blood sucking “, saying their activities are a threat to humanity.

    On  the myriads of problems facing the country, Soyinka said Nigeria would be a better country if leaders were committed to service and the welfare of the people.

    The Nobel Laureate, however, said the followership also had its share of blame for some of the problems.

    He said working nations were not built by leaders alone but by good followers too.

    On the “shit hole” remark made by President Donald Trump about Nigeria and some other countries, Soyinka said the American president latched on the numerous problems in the country.

    According to him, if Nigerians had made the country work, Trump would not have had the opportunity to use such derogatory term to refer to the country.

    Soyinka, however, said he was not disappointed by President Trump’s  comment as he had always seen him as not fit for the office.

    The Nobel laurate condemned a bill being proposed by the National Assembly prescribing death penalty for those who made hate speeches.

    He said the bill was an attempt by the lawmakers to silence speech so that they could be immune to  scathing criticisms.

    While describing hate speeches as “dangerous and destructive”, he said hanging people was not the right  punishment.

    “Hate speech is bad and destructive, but do I want anybody hanged? No, I would rather want people shamed, “he said.

    Soyinka also urged the government at all levels to be alive to their responsibility.

    In his contribution, Dr Reuben Abati, immediate past  Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, said there was a disconnect between leadership and followership in the country .

    He  attributed the disconnect to  the mistrust between the two, in the light of failure of leadership to deliver the goods.

    Abati urged  leaders to discharge their responsibilities to the people, not only to earn the trust of their followers, but also to promote the development in the country.

    NAN

  • Herdsmen destroy ex-naval chief 67 hectares of cassava plants in Kwara

    Herdsmen have again allegedly destroyed about 67 hectares of cassava plants belonging to ex-chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Samuel Afolayan in Kwara state.
    January this year, the ex-naval chief accused the herdsmen of destroying about 45 hectares of his farm land located at Obbo-Ile, Ekiti local government area of the state.
    The former naval chief told reporters in Obbo-Ile, describing the action as intentional.
    “After the earlier report, the situation as at now is that seven people are under arrest.  They have caused more damages since after the burning of the first farm that was reported. They have burnt 50 hectares of palm tree carrying bunches. This is after the initial report,” he added.
    Admiral Afolayan said: “They have destroyed 67 hectares of cassava worth N57 million, they have destroyed four hectares of sweet corn ready for harvest valued at N2.5 million. I am still costing the palm trees because many of them may not survive. I am getting experts to quantify it knowing that palm trees can be harvested for 20 years.
    “I am also working on the valuation of the oranges they destroyed. Since after the first report, I have not gotten help from anybody (Federal and Kwara State Government) except the local government chairman that visited the farm and saw the extent of damages and expressed his opinion on what he saw.
    “Seven herdsmen have been arrested and handed over to police”.
    “The action has proved to be that it is a deliberate act now that I can trace their cows to their camps and that is why I conclude that somebody living a distance of between three and six kilometers go inside my farm, I believe it is intentional”.