The Nation Newspaper

Tag: herdsmen

  • Herdsmen, Oyo farmers parley on peaceful co-existence

    Cattle rearers and farmers across Oyo State yesterday agreed to live together in peace.

    Both parties expressed their grievances against each other at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Leye Oyebade.

    The meeting, which was well-attended, was held at the headquarters of the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan.

    The farmers accused herdsmen of grazing on their crops without restriction, raping their women, threatening them and sometimes robbing innocent commuters  within the state.

    The herdsmen, in turn, accused the farmers of killing their animals by poisoning the water which their cattle drink.

    The latter also pointed out that those troubling the farmers and committing crime are non-resident herdsmen, who are insensitive to the farmers and other locals.

    Though they expressed their concerns in angry tone, both parties recognised the need to co-exist peacefully having done so for several decades.

    About 12 leaders from both sides identified the problems and solutions, they issued a communique on how best to live together.

    The communique noted that both farmers and cattle rearers agreed to live together as they have been doing but with a renewed pledge to respect each other in the process of conducting their personal businesses.

    Among others, both parties outlawed grazing at night, personal disarmament by herdsmen, stoppage of threats, rape and intimidation. They also agreed to expose any stranger or strange herdsmen who wander into their communities as well as hold regular meetings for exchange of information among stakeholders.

    The communique also called on the government to set aside land for cattle ranch for herdsmen as well as train and retrain them for peaceful co-existence with host communities.

    Addressing the participants, Oyebade said crises may brew in the society but all parties must find a way to dialogue and find the best solutions .

    He, however, warned herdsmen against carrying firearms, saying anyone caught with firearms would be treated as a criminal.

    The CP also advised heads of the Hausa/Fulani community to always convey outcomes of their deliberations with host communities to their younger ones.

    The police boss also warned farmers against poisoning the cattle.

  • Yoruba elders and herdsmen

    For sometime now, there has been speculations and reports that following the abduction or kidnapping of Chief Olu Falae, an elder statesman, some Yoruba leaders were contemplating and agitating over what action to take against the Fulani herdsmen in, not only, Ondo State, where the old man was kidnapped but the entire South-west.

    The alleged kidnapping of the former Secretary to the Federal Government and one-time Minister of Finance, by the herdsmen in the first place did surprise not a few Nigerians, in view of the fact that no arrest and interrogation of any herdsman or men were made by anybody, including the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in the country.

    So, a lot of reasonable people did not take this matter of the allegation that the Yoruba ethnic nationality was taking or preparing to take any umbrella decision to expel any herdsmen from any part of Nigeria seriously.  The allegation sounded like a movie.  The best way to handle such long tale was to ignore it in the interest of your time and sanity.

    Otherwise, how could any Nigerian contemplate the expulsion from another part of Nigeria of any Nigerian to another part of it?  What could be the constitutional and national consequence of such an action within the country as a body corporate?  For the sake of argument let’s assume that the wild allegation was true – that it was the herdsmen, six of them that kidnapped the chief. Would the action of these six demented criminals justify the blanket action on the entire herdsmen in the South-west?

    Every tribe, ethnic group has her own share of the good, the bad and the ugly.  And that is why there has never been and there will never be any law that will be enacted to force people as a whole to carry any vicarious liability on behalf of others. People will continue to bear liability for their own actions only – either positive or negative.  This is the standard of any civilized society. People must be assumed to be innocent until proven otherwise.

    One question that has been agitating my mind and I believe most Nigerians is – how did Chief Olu Falae come to the conclusion that it was Fulani herdsmen who kidnapped him?  What incontrovertible evidence did he have or put forward to Nigerians that it was truly the herdsmen that kidnapped him?  To say they dressed like herdsmen or spoke Fulfulde (the Fulani language) or they looked like Fulani was not and shall never be tenable for various reasons.

    Since when did it become a law that only Fulani should speak Fulfulde, dress in any particular clothes or manner?  Under what law did the Fulani get any different colour identity or any other identity that is legally and lawfully exclusive to them as a mark of a tribal identity?

    It is one of the commonest things to find better Fulfulde speakers among the Fulani who are not Fulani.  There are still those who look like the Fulani in all their physical features but are not Fulani. There are also those who dress like the Fulani but are not Fulani especially during cultural festivals.  There are also other tribes that dress like the Yoruba, speak Yoruba fluently, yet they are not Yoruba.  We also have other tribes such as the Berom, Tarok, Shuwa, Mandingo, Tuaregs both local and international who are herdsmen but they are not Fulani.

    Are the Yoruba elders telling us today that the Fulani or their herdsmen who have lived for hundreds of years in Yoruba land who speak the Yoruba language and have become almost entirely absorbed in the Yoruba culture of dress, dance and other Yoruba activities should today go out and commit any criminal activity and the Yoruba as an ethnic group be forced to take a mortal liability for it as a people?  The dress, the language, even the marks (meant to identify different tribes) have failed as the marks of most tribes look alike. As for physical attributes you need to ask people sometimes before you know where they come from or who they are tribally or even ethnically.

    Do we need to remind these respected, educated, enlightened, cosmopolitan and urbane Yoruba elders that the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria clearly spelt out under Section 41(1) thus: “Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout (my emphasis) Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom”.

    As Nigerians, we must try as hard as possible, no matter, our ethnic, tribal or other differences to respect the laws of the land and refrain from doing anything that can cause ill-feeling, disunity, ethnic or religious crises where it is absolutely dangerous to do so like it is in this case.  There is nowhere that the herdsmen in the South-west in general or Ondo State in particular held any tribal, ethnic or any corporate group meeting where a decision was taken to kidnap Chief Olu Falae or any Yoruba man or woman for that matter.

    It is also true that so far there is no identity parade or security report that identified and verified that it was the herdsmen of the village farm of Olu Falae that kidnapped him.  Even if there were such facts, they would still be subjected to the rigours of our law courts to establish the level of the culpability of such herdsmen, their sponsors, if any, and their motive for such criminal act.

    Even with that, there would not be any vicarious criminal liability on anybody, including the blood relations of such criminals.  It is a very dangerous thing to lump an entire ethnic group together and accuse them of committing a crime that only six crazy and deranged criminals committed. They should be found and fried for their criminal action.

     

    • Bayari, a former national officer of the Myetti Allah Association, sent in this piece from Jos.

  • Sani defends herdsmen

    The senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has defended Fulani herdsmen, following the recent kidnap of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae.

    Falae was kidnapped last month on his farm by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    Sani, in a Facebook post, said the Fulani were not terrorists or kidnappers.

    There have been calls by the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, for the abolishment of nomadic cattle rearing.

    The senator wrote: “Fulani  are not kidnappers; they are not terrorists; they are not ‘tsetse flies’.

    “They are peaceful and humble and accommodating stock of Nigerians; they consider all parts of Nigeria and all parts of Africa as their home.

    “They are nationalists, patriots and Pan-Africanists. As long as you eat beef, you drink milk and you use leather, you are a beneficiary of the trade, skill and hard work of the Fulani herdsmen.”

  • Rights Commission to resolve herdsmen, farmers dispute

    Rights Commission to resolve herdsmen, farmers dispute

    The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Bem Angwe, has inaugurated a working committee to resolve the perennial clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    According to him,  for the past decade, the incidence of clashes between pastoralists and farmers have become a recurring issue.

    He said: “The central issue is the increasing scarcity of economic resources. Desertification and massive devastation of vegetation and soil, particularly in the arid zones in the far north, as well as lack of access to adequate water supply have necessitated the southward movement of pastoralists with their cattle all the year round.

    “Presently, some states are worse hit. These include Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, Taraba and Adamawa. The conflict is also taking a more dangerous dimension as it is dividing the affected people along ethnic and religious lines even though the primary issue is economic.

    “More recently, cattle rustling is fast becoming an organised crime in the affected areas while small arms proliferation has also become the order of the day with its attendant toll on the capacity of the state to provide its primary constitutional responsibilities of protecting life and property.

    “The historical relationship among the different peoples of northern Nigeria especially, has served to aggravate the matter as the political class, rather than providing lasting solution to this problem by engaging in massive environmental regeneration and development, continued to exploit this situation to serve their narrow political interest which in many instances reinforces the dividing lines among the affected people and communities.”

    Prof. Bem Angwe said: “A number of enquiries and studies have been commissioned by governments – federal and states – at different times, but the nation is yet to develop a multi-perspective, pragmatic work plan aimed at achieving a holistic and integrated approach to solve the problem.

    “The Commission, therefore, owes a statutory duty to address this issue because it substantially affects protection of right to life, property, environment, health as well as freedom from fear and murder, amongst others.

    He mentioned the Committee’s terms of reference to include: “To undertake a desk review of all the existing reports on this matter and draw up a list of issues and stakeholders mapping to guide the current exercise;  visit to some of the affected areas (including visits to relevant government officials and agencies); to interact with affected people in order to get their perspective on this matter; organisation of town hall meetings/community dialogue in the affected states – particularly, Kaduna, Nasawara, Benue, Plateau, Taraba and Adamawa. It also include holding a national conference in Abuja to bring together all the key stakeholders and representatives of the affected communities.

    “The conference proceedings and other feedbacks generated from all the above engagements would be brought together to make a policy recommendation to the federal and relevant state governments.

    The cnference will equally submit Draft Conference Report to the Executive Secretary on or before  October 31, 2016. “It is my hope you will justify the confidence reposed in you by ensuring a diligent discharge of this important national assignment,” Prof Angwe said.

     

     

  • Herdsmen told not to graze cattle in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has warned herdsmen grazing cattle in and around Abuja to desist forthwith or be prosecuted.

    FCT Permanent Secretary, John Chukwu gave the warning, explaining that improper grazing of cattle in the city centre and environs constitutes public nuisance and is hazardous to road users.

    He said that this practice has adverse effects on the environment and must not be allowed to continue, stressing that Abuja is the capital of Nigeria and the window in which the world sees the country.

    According to a statement issued by Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, Chukwu said that all hands must be on deck to ensure the adequate maintenance of the Abuja environment in accordance with the change mantra of the Federal Government.

    The Permanent Secretary directed the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) to ensure full compliance; noting that Abuja city is not meant for cattle grazing because there are designated areas for such activities in the Abuja Master Plan.

    Meanwhile, the FCT Administration has frowned at the practice by some residents of the Federal Capital Territory hawking animals particularly rams on major streets of Gwarinpa II District, Abuja.

    Chukwu warned that the practice is also unacceptable because there are designated markets and areas for such activities.

    He instructed the AEPB to also ensure the immediate stoppage of such unwholesome practices by arresting and prosecuting defaulters in line with the Law.

  • Police, Herdsmen battle in Anambra

    The Anambra state police command and the herdsmen are in fierce battle following the decision of the former to ban the later from operating in the state in the day time.

    The state police commissioner, Mr. Hosea Karma has insisted that the herdsmen would only operate at night from 8pm in Anambra henceforth.

    The police decision was taken Friday at the state government house in Awka after a joint meeting with the Anambra State Cattle Menace Conflict Committee.

    Karma said the essence was to minimize conflict between the herdsmen and native farmers in the area.

    But one of the herdsmen who spoke with the Nation in confidence said such decision would not work in the state as they could only move in the day time.

    However, the police commissioner urged the Fulani cattle herdsmen and host communities to allow peace to reign by cooperating and living harmoniously.

    He warned that the police would not spare anybody who would want to foment trouble in the state.

    The committee Friday included the Security Council, representatives of traditional rulers, Presidents-General of town unions and other stakeholders.

    According to Karma, “the committee had worked hard to minimize conflict between the host community farmers and cattle herdsmen as well as for them to live harmoniously.”

    “He said that there was an instance case where the cattle herdsmen had to pay N400, 000 compensation to the farmers as damages.

    “We must live in peace together. If there is any problem, they should report to the appropriate authority. Nobody is allowed to take the laws into his hands.”

     

  • Herdsmen kill mourners in Benue community

    One person has been killed and several others sustained gunshot wound following attack on mourners by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
    The bloody attack took place at the weakened in Imande Bebeshi, Moon district in Kwande- local government area in Benue state .

    Narrating the incident a community leader Hon Abo  Uta told The Nation that the gun men numbering about 50 stormed the village when mourners gathered to bury their beloved one.

    Hon Abo  Uta said; ” The gun men emerged from the surrounding bush and shot sporadically at the mourners who were at the grave side to witness the burial of a relation ” .

    In the melee that led to many people sustaining gunshot wounds, a middle age man by name Suswam Suswam was killed.

    Hon. Uta who  said the injured are receiving treatment at various hospital appeals or the state and federal government to nip the lingering crisis in the bug so that farmers can return to their farm land and tilled the soil.

    He described the attack which has been going on for about 6 years as similar to that of the dreaded Boko Haram saying the invaders have taken over farm land.

    A police officer attacked to Divisional Police office in Kwande local government area who pleaded anonymity confirmed the incident and said investigation has commenced.

  • Three die as herdsmen, villagers clash in Kwara village

    The Kwara  State Police Command yesterday confirmed that three villagers were killed in Matokun, Patigi Local Government Area, in a clash between Fulani herdsmen and the villagers.

    Police spokesmanAjayi Okasanmi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said the command had despatched some policemen to Patigi to maintain the peace.

    The spokesman said a delegation was also sent to the town to broker peace between the warring parties.

    He added that  investigation had begun into the crisis.

    Okesanmi said: “There was a rift between some Fulani and some Patigi people which resulted to deaths as claimed by the parties involved.

    “A unit of mobile policemen had been dispatched to Patigi to maintain the peace, while a team of senior police officers were sent by the Commissioner of Police to broker peace.

    “Investigation into the cause or causes of the crisis has started.”

        He explained that normalcy had returned to the community, following the swift intervention of security agencies.

  • Police kill suspected robbers in botched attack on herdsmen

    The Delta State Police Command has said it shot dead two suspected robbers after a botched attack on some herdsmen.

    Police spokesperson Tina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident yesterday in Asaba, the state capital.

    She said the four hoodlums attacked herdsmen in a bush at Okpara waterside, Ethiope East Local Government Area.

    Kalu said the police station at Isiokolo, the local government’s headquarters, got a distress call from a man simply identified as Alhaji Ibrahim, that some gunmen attacked his herdsmen.

    The spokesperson said operatives from the police station rushed to the scene.

    She said the hoodlums alighted from their operational vehicle and engaged the police in a shootout.

    According to her, the gunmen fled into the bush when the police nearly overpowered them.

    Kalu said the police pursued the suspects into the bush, where two of them were shot.

    The others escaped, she added.

    The spokesperson said the two injured suspects died on the way to the hospital.

    Items recovered from the suspects include six cut-to-size guns, two Nokia handsets and a Honda Accord salon with number plate (Lagos) SE858AAA.

    Kalu said the police had begun a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.

     

  • 20 killed as herdsmen attack Benue communities

    Twenty Tiv farmers were killed yesterday by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Iorja village, Gaambetiev, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

    The invaders were said to have also set ablaze 50 houses and destroyed other property worth several millions of naira.

    Over 2,000 tubers of yams were reportedly destroyed at Iorja village, whose inhabitants are predominantly farmers.

    Yam seeds and various foodstuffs were also destroyed.

    Over 15,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the affected villages are taking refuge in Mchia, Abeda Shitile, Anyiin and Tse Abi towns.

    Narrating how the attack took place, a community leader, who fled to Anyiin, Chief Yankyaa Ugoh, told our reporter on phone that herdsmen armed with sophisticated weapons stormed the village at 6am and surrounded the houses.

    He said: “They set houses ablaze, shot and killed Tiv farmers who attempted to escape. It was because we were taken unawares that they killed as many people as possible. We have recovered only 20 bodies.”

    The community leader said villages reduced to rubble are: Tse bee, Gafa, Ukura and Iorja.

    When our reporter visited Mchia, Anyiin and Abeda, women, children and the elderly were seen sleeping on bare floor in primary schools.

    There was an imminent outbreak of cholera because of the lack of drinking water and hygienic food.

    Police spokesman, Ezeani Austine, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), did not reply to a text message sent to his phone.