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Tag: herdsmen

  • Two herdsmen held for murder

    The police in Ogun State have arrested two Fulani herdsmen for the alleged murder of their kinsman at Itadodo in Ofada, Obafemi Owode Local Government.

    Abdulahi Anaruwa and Mohammed Suleiman were said to have killed Garuba Mohammed to steal his cattle.

    The suspects were said to have met the deceased on October 28, while he was grazing his cattle and lured him to a bush, where he was slaughtered.

    But unknown to the duo, a commercial motorcyclist saw them and alerted community members, who informed the police.

    A team, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Owode Egba, Sheu Alao, was said to have caught the suspects.

    The command’s spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said his boss, Ahmed Iliyasu, ordered that the case be transferred to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Eleweran.

  • Fayose, herdsmen sign peace deal

    Fayose, herdsmen sign peace deal

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose yesterday released to their owners nine cows, which were seized because the herdsmen contravened the Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing Law.

    The cows were seized by operatives of Ekiti Grazing Enforcement Marshalls (EGEM), a body cracking down on illegal grazing.

    The governor met with leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Ekiti and Southwest, rulers and Fulani community this week, and signed a peace pact with the body.

    MACBAN promised that its members will abide by the law regulating grazing and co-exist peacefully with farmers and residents.

    As part of measures to curb friction, cattle breeders in the state are to register with the rulers of their host communities.

    The governor agreed to the proposal that MACBAN members be part of the patrol teams.

    The free registration must, however, be done within 14 days, and the names forwarded to the government.

    Fayose reiterated that hours allowed for grazing remain 7 am to 6 pm, saying any cow seen outside 6 pm would be seized, and the owner to spend six months in prison.

    The governor explained that rulers have been empowered to enforce the law in their domains and allocate lands to herdsmen under a controlled situation.

    Fayose said: “I have decided to release these cows to strengthen our union. So, I expect you to comply with the law because after now, if you contravene the law , we will take appropriate sanctions against you”.

    “We are not asking for much, just for you to obey our law.The law is not targeted at those who obey the law.You have to register with the traditional ruler of your host community.

     “It is you who will inform the monarch of new faces coming to join you  or pretending to be herdsmen. Going armed will not be tolerated. No weapon is allowed in Ekiti State for cattle rearing.

    Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Owoseni Ajayi said the law would curb excesses of some cattle farmers.

    In his remarks, Southwest leader of MACBAN Alhaji   Mohammed Kabir, who said he was born and bred in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said his group had gone round states in the region to sensitise members on the need for peace.

    The Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole, said the governor spoke the minds of Ekiti people.

  • 800 herdsmen held over violent attacks, says Osinbajo

    800 herdsmen held over violent attacks, says Osinbajo

    Security agencies in Nigeria have arrested about 800 suspected violent herdsmen across the country, according to Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

    Osinbajo made this disclosure in Houston, Texas in the US on Friday at a Townhall event where he interacted with US-based Nigerians who asked questions at the event and also via the Internet, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson Mr. Laolu Akande.

    The Vice President fielded about thirty questions at the townhall event moderated by Mr. Rudolf Okonkwo of Sahara Reporters and Prof. Nimi Wariboko of Boston University.

    Asked about the issue of Fulani Herdsmen attacks in certain states across the country and what the Federal Government was doing to curb the problem, the Vice President said “the President has given firm instructions to the security agencies to arrest not only herdsmen who are attacking communities anywhere in the country but anyone of them or anyone at all in possession of firearms.”

    He added that “there are about 800 of suspected violent herdsmen in the country that are currently in custody.” The Vice President however decried the slow pace of the criminal justice system which is affecting the prompt trial of such suspects.

    Osinbajo reminded the audience however that the issue of killings by such violent herdsmen has been a perennial issue especially as grazing lands continue to disappear over the years and the cattle feed on peoples crops on the farmlands. He clarified that the matter just did not crop up when President Buhari assumed office.

    Vice President Osinbajo then urged against the tendency of interpreting the herdsmen issue as a religious issue, stressing that it is important for all Nigerians to refuse such divisive narratives and tendencies.

    He reminded his audience that there has always been conflict between herdsmen and communities across the country and that people should disabuse the notion that the problem has just started because President Buhari, a Fulani is currently at the helm of affairs in the country.

    Answering question on the need for community policing, the Vice President indicated that community policing via State Police is indeed a cardinal program of the ruling APC. However the party agenda cannot be introduced until there is an amendment to the nation’s constitution.

    Giving a scenario where a policeman from Bayelsa State for instance is working in Borno State where he cannot even speak the language or understand the culture of the people he is policing, he said that such situation is counterproductive.

    The current situation where police activities is controlled at the federal level sure has some limitations, he conceded adding that the “ the federal government is currently working to introduce community policing that would be in line with the constitution.”

    Commenting on the recent arrest of judges in the country, Prof. Osinbajo told said that impunity could be very dangerous in any sector and that the federal government is only exercising its executive function in attempting to check excesses.

    He pointed out that the important thing is that due process is being followed as the judges were released about 24 hours after their arrest and once they had given their statements.

  • Ooni urges caution on herdsmen menace in Southwest

    Ooni urges caution on herdsmen menace in Southwest

    The Ooni  of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called for caution and tact in tackling the menace of herdsmen unleashing terror on farmers and communities in Yoruba land.

    He made the call yesterday when he visited the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, as part of activities to mark his visit to Ekiti State.

    Governor Ayo Fayose, members of his cabinet, lawmakers, past and present political office holders and indigenes trooped to the Ewi’s palace to welcome the Ooni.

    Fayose had tightened the noose against grazing in unauthorised places in Ekiti with the signing into law of the Prohibition of Cattle and other Ruminants Grazing Bill, which bans grazing beyond 6pm.

    Oba Ogunwusi welcomed the law but noted that care should be exercised in implementing same to prevent it from degenerating into a crisis. He said Nigeria is a federation and Ekiti is part of the Nigerian federation.

    The Ooni thanked the crowds that welcomed him to Aramoko, Ijero and Ado Ekiti.

    Fayose expressed joy at the visit, saying it was a celebration of life, “an event that so many people will live with for a very long time”.

    But he maintained that the law must take its course against herdsmen killing innocent residents and destroying their means of economic survival. He said any herdsman caught rearing cows after 6pm will be arrested and prosecuted, and his cows confiscated.

    His words: “Any cow that is caught destroying somebody else’s farm will be confiscated. Any cow that is caught grazing after 6pm shall be seized. Is somebody rearing cows in the night a normal human being?

    “They asked us to go back to farming and released their cows to destroy our crops. Any cattle that destroy our farms will be seized by the government.”

    Fayose added: “You (Ooni) are in a good position to unite us; it is neither by accident nor by age, but by the grace of God. Nothing must happen to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Olu Falae.

    “This is how they started with Obafemi Awolowo and Pa Michael Ajasin. That is why I insist that an action against Tinubu is an action against the Yoruba nation.

    “They are encroaching, they are threatening. Nothing must happen to Tinubu, nothing must happen to Falae. This is how they killed our leaders in the past; this must not be allowed to continue.”

    Oba Adejugbe expressed joy at the visit, and recalled that in 1937, Oba Adesoji Aderemi visited the Ewi; in 1980, Oba Olubuse II visited the Ewi and thanked God that in 2016, Oba Ogunwusi has visited.

    The Ewi said: “I am happy because the visits are not at close intervals. I pray for long life, unity and cooperation among the Yoruba.”

    He particularly lauded the Ooni for the meeting of traditional rulers which he said was a precursor to the unity among Yoruba communities of the Southwest and urged him to continue in that stead so as to sustain the growing unity among the Yoruba.

  • Herdsmen: Fayose raises alarm as Presidency urges calm

    Herdsmen: Fayose raises alarm as Presidency urges calm

    THE Presidency yesterday appealed to cattle owners and Ekiti people to seek a common ground in finding a solution to the festering row between herdsmen and farmers.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Senator Babafemi  Ojudu, made the appeal yesterday when he met with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

    At the meeting, MACBAN spokesman Baba Othman Ngelzarma said his group was not opposed to the new Ekiti grazing law but rejects a situation where Governor Ayo Fayose deliberately leads the constant attacks and killings of their cows.

    He said his group may stop the supply of cattle and goats to Ekiti State.

    “We are in support of the law stopping grazing from 6pm to 6am but oppose a situation where armed men shoot and kill our cattles during the day.

    Ojudu thanked the association for the meeting.

    He said in a democracy every opportunity for dialogue should be explored.

    The special adviser said the symbiotic relationship between the herdsmen and the people should be explored.

    Governor Ayo Fayose has alerted communities to the threat by MACBAN.

    MACBAN, in a statement at the weekend, claimed that the Ekiti Grazing Enforcement Marshals (EGEM) on October 21, killed five cows.

    Ngelzarma urged the Federal Government to intervene “before this macabre incident develops into a feud involving our members and the Ekiti State government”.

    At a briefing at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, Fayose dismissed MACBAN’s claim that five cows were killed on Friday.

    He said the cows are alive and in the government’s custody.

    The governor accused the Federal Government of backing the herdsmen to attack communities.

    Fayose said: “Four days after this threat was issued, the Federal Government is yet to act.

    “The silence of the Federal Government has  further confirmed the insinuation that there is a plot to support the herdsmen to invade some boundary towns and villages in Ekiti State.”

    The governor continued: “I am therefore using this opportunity to put Ekiti people, especially residents of boundary towns, on red alert. Ekiti people must be prepared to defend their land against these Philistines, whose attributes and characters are extremism, violence, bloodshed and destruction.”

    The governor said: “Why didn’t Miyetti Allah warn its members when they were killing Nigerians and destroying farmlands?

    “Are their cows more important than human lives?

    “To us in Ekiti, 5000 cows cannot be equated to human beings who are being killed daily by herdsmen across the country.

    “MACBAN should know that cattle farmers are not different from other farmers.

    “If they want to rear cows in Ekiti, they should do so in accordance with the laws of the state.

    “After all, law prohibiting sale and consumption of alcohol was made in Kano State and the law is being enforced while Sharia Law made in some states in the North is also being enforced.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Prohibition of Cattle and other Ruminants Grazing in Ekiti State Bill that was signed into law on August 29 remains in force.

    “MACBAN should tell its members to comply with this law by seeking from the government designated land for grazing, which the government is always willing to give.

    “It is strange that the association kept silent when its members killed two people and injured several others in Oke-Ako in Ekiti State.”

     

  • ‘How to end herdsmen’s attacks’

    ‘How to end herdsmen’s attacks’

    A WAY out of of the incessant cattle herdsmen and crop farmers clashes has been suggested, and it is breeding cows in ranches.

    The sugestion came at the inauguration of new leaders of a group,  Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship (NCGF), an inter-denominational prayer organisation.

    The new national President of the group, Prof. Charles Adeyinka Adisa, an oncologist at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) promised that his regime would sustain and build upon the efforts and achievements of the previous one.

    The election of the new leaders which took place in Benin, the Edo State capital, was capped in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State, with the inauguration and handover of official documents.

    Speaking after the inauguration and handover, the former national President of NCGF, Dr. Samuel Itina said he was optimistic that the new regime would deliver and work in the interest of all.

    He called on Christians to pray for the country.

    The new President of the group, Prof. Charles Adeyinka Adisa, said his regime would build on the foundation of his predecessors.

    He spoke on a number of issues, including the Fulani herdsmen’s rampage which he said would come to an end with the creation of ranches.

    He said, “In Saudi Arabia, their cows in ranches produce about 30 liters of milk per day, but cows in Nigeria produce less than 10 liters of milk daily. Keeping cows in ranches will help to nip the attacks of communities by Fulani herdsmen and also promote the hygienic level of meat that we consume in Nigeria.”

  • ‘Govt left us at the mercy of killer-herdsmen’ 

    Residents of Southern Kaduna, under the auspices of Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), have said they have been abandoned by the Federal and State government and left at the mercy of killer-herdsmen.

    They said they may be forced to resolve to self-defence if urgent measures are not taken to stop the killings.

    A statement yesterday by its National President, Solomon Musa, lamented that they were being treated as if Southern Kaduna does not deserve the attention, sympathy or intervention of government.

    The statement reads: “Godogodo communities once again came under fierce, brutal and savage attack by Fulani herdsmen without provocation last Saturday. This is despite the frantic calls for help by the villagers.

    “The barbarians killed an uncountable number of people. So far, the locals have been able to identify not less than 40 bodies, beside the several others burnt beyond recognition. Virtually every house in Godogodo has been burnt, property worth hundreds of millions destroyed, while crops have been grazed by cattle and the rest destroyed by the invaders.

    “Yet, the federal and state governments appear quiet and non-committal. We have been abandoned, deserted and neglected.

    “SOKAPU also notes that since the attacks started inMay, they have been left to linger despite the government’s explanation that it spends N200 million monthly on security in the state.

    ‘It appears that we have been abandoned, deserted and neglected. We do not deserve the intervention or sympathy of the federal or state governments. Security personnel are posted to the main highways only.

    From April to date, there seems to be no form of intelligence gathering, surveillance, or proactive measures to forestall recurrences.

    “From April till date, neither NEMA nor SEMA has seen it fit to rehabilitate, resettle or to bring any kind of relief materials to the victims. What have we done to deserve this? Is it because of who we are? Why have we been abandoned, deserted and neglected? Will this have happened if it was elsewhere? Are we part of Kaduna State? Are we part of Nigeria? If we are not, we then deserve our state and our nation; we can stand on our own.

    “More nauseating is the fact that in villages like Ninte, Akwa, Ungwan Anjo, and Antang, where the people had been sacked, the herdsmen have permanently taken over the villages and boldly grazing their herds on the farmlands.

    “The government should tell us if it is ready to defend us or we defend ourselves.”

  • 16 herdsmen convicted, 36 cows impounded

    16 herdsmen convicted, 36 cows impounded

    Herdsmen who graze their cattle in the Abuja metropolis are being tried and convicted, report GBENGA OMOKHUNU and GRACE OBIKE

    The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Task Team on Environmental Sanitation have started arresting and prosecuting herdsmen grazing cattle in Abuja.

    In the seven days exercise so far, 36 cows and 38 sheep have been impounded, while 16 herdsmen have been arraigned and convicted before the Sanitation Mobile Court.

    The AEPB and the Task Team  tendered the impounded cows and sheep as exhibits to secure the conviction of the arrested herdsmen.

    According to a statement issued by the  Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the exercise is sequel to the directive of the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, for the Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the FCT Task Team on Environment to stop forthwith the grazing of cattle within Abuja metropolis.

    Those arrested have been made to face the consequences of their actions as they have paid various fines to serve as a deterrent to others with strong warning to desist from doing same.

    The exercise that commenced about a week ago by the AEPB and the Task Team on the instruction of the Minister is a continuous one.

    Meanwhile, peeved by the continued movement of cattle in Abuja metropolis in despite several warnings to their owners by the Federal Capital Territory Authorities, the Senate, through its Committee on FCT has asked residents of the area to, henceforth, slaughter cows found in the city centre.

    The directive was handed down to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, by Chairman of the committee, Senator Dino Melaye, (APC, Kogi West), when he appeared before the committee.

    Melaye, who gave the order in a speech read at the session, said it was very disappointing, annoying and embarrassing that despite the ban placed on cattle grazing in FCT by FCTA authority, some stubborn herdsmen were still moving cows along and across highways within the metropolis. He ordered the FCT Minister to go beyond the ban by facilitating the slaughtering order issued by the senate committee. Melaye told the minister, “the Senate is not happy at how herdsmen continue to move their cows across the city centre, which we are aware you had given directive against some time ago. “From now on, get knives and ask your men to slaughter cows found in the capital city or prosecute herdsmen seen with cows in the city centre with a fine of N50,000 per cow. This order must be carried out.”

    Melaye further revealed that the Senate was in receipt of complaints that some residents of the territory were converting their apartments into hotels and brothels, a situation he said was distorting the original master plan of the city. He noted that some people were already undermining FCT authority under his watch, which he said was unacceptable.

     

  • Herdsmen seek harmony with Southeast communities

    Herdsmen seek harmony with Southeast communities

    Seeking harmonious cohabitation, herdsmen have appealed to Southeast states to allow them graze their cattle in their communities, reports NWANOSIKE ONU

    Cattle breeders in Anambra State have pleaded with Southeast communities to accept them as genuine and law-abiding professionals, not violent criminals pretending to be herdsmen.

    The cattle breeders under the auspices of Miyetti Allah Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) were speaking during a meeting at the Amansea cattle ground in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    Chairman of MACBAN in the zone, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki commended Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano for having a cordial relationship with members of the community in the state. He also hailed Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s positive response to the security challenges in the state, while pleading with other governments in the region to lend sufficient support to eliminate rancour between host communities and cattle breeders.

    Siddiki said, “We wish to state that Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria is unarguably the most recognised organisation that superintends over the activities of herdsmen across Nigeria. As Southeast Zone members of this group, we wholly submit to the injunctions of the national body as much as benefit from the shelter the umbrella readily provides us.

    “We represent the Fulani stock of herdsmen who are genuinely engaged in the business of shepherding cattle across the country, particularly here in Southeast Nigeria. By this we mean that every herdsman of ours who steps into the Southeast immediately becomes our concern. We seek to make herdsmen compliant with our underlying codes and practices for plying the trade across the zone.

    “This is the utmost responsibility we strive to attain and sustain in the Southeast; indeed we strive to export our successes in this regard to other geopolitical zones in, Nigeria. We counsel our members in the Southeast to quickly report any unpleasant encounters to me or any other leader who will notify relevance authority for prompt. They are advised not to resort to self-help or seek any form of revenge.

    “We also insist that other members who are coming from our neighbouring states should obtain clearance from the chairman of MACBAN of the state they are coming from. This will validate their identity, put them under our authority and avail them of privileges of our membership. We also implore some indigenes of the Southeast not to eject the cattle herdsmen from their communities so that MACBAN may have representatives for easy coordination. But if you eject all the herdsmen in the area someone may come under the guise of herdsmen and cause atrocity at the area and  it will be very difficult for us to find out what happened because we don’t have representatives in the area.

    “We   hereby   enjoin   our   members   coopted   into   the   security subcommittees in the local governments in Enugu State to show maximum commitment to their assignments. While we recognise the possibility of itinerant criminals parading themselves as herdsmen to unleash havoc on people and communities, we plead that those who embark on such criminal acts are properly designated as criminals and be so treated.

    “Given the challenge of containing the increasing menace of these criminals who disguise as herdsmen and given our in-depth knowledge of the fields and the jungles we plead that the governments of the Southeast give us logistic support in terms of rugged off-road vehicles and communication gargets to facilitate effective check against camp infiltration with the attendant hazardous security possibilities.”

     

  • Herdsmen kill three; burn down houses in Kaduna villages

    Herdsmen have again allegedly killed three in Dogon Daji village and torched part of Antang Village all around Godogodo in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The Godogodo axis has been under intense siege since July by alleged herdsmen. Affected villages said, the alleged Fulani are pushing them out  using violence claiming that most of the affected villages have been designated as Cattle Grazing Reserves by the government.

    Meanwhile, the acting Local Government Chairman of Jema’a LGA, Mr. Humble Katuka said that only two were killed in Dogon Daji and two houses burnt in Antang.

    According to him, “Report reaching me said that two people were killed in Dogon Daji, and then they burnt two houses in Atang.

    “They diverted the attention of the Police and soldiers stationed in Godogodo and sneaked to these areas to cause havoc. But, security have been beefed up and I shall personally go there later to inspect what has happened,” he said.

    A source from Dogon Daji village said, “This morning, a group of herdsmen attacked our village (Dogon Daji). They killed three people and injured about six people. I am not sure, because we had to move out women and children. Then the armed herdsmen moved to Antang and burnt part of the village and injured some people,” he said.

    It could be recalled that on Saturday, Godogodo which has been holding thousands of displaced persons was attacked by an army of armed herdsmen leading to the killing of four vigilantes.

    A statement from acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman said, “Gallant troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army in a joint operation with personnel of Nigeria Police and local vigilantes have today repelled a coordinated attack by gunmen on Godogodo town of Kaduna State.

    “The combined security team also arrested the following 6 suspects : Lawal Gambo, Yau Sani, Bala Amodu, Ibrahim Maikaru, Abubakar Hassan and Bashiru Isa Ciroma.

    “Unfortunately 4 local vigilantes lost their lives while another 9 were wounded in the course of countering the dastardly attack meant to cause more loss of lives and properties of law abiding citizens of Godogodo Town.

    “The situation in Godogo Town has since returned to normalcy and efforts are ongoing to track the remaining fleeing bandits.

    “We wish to reassure citizens that the effort to safeguard life and property will continue with renewed vigour until all the rampaging bandits are brought to justice”, Usman said.