Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said that over 15,000 herders and their families have so far relocated outside Nigeria due to prevalent security challenges in the country.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of inauguration of the newly elected Kwara state MACBAN chairman, Alhaji Shehu Garba, in Ilorin, the national president of the MACBAN, Alhaji Baba Nglzarma, said that the Fulani pastoralists are the worst affected by banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and terrorism in the country.
Nglzarma also said that over 40,000 cattle have so far been lost to cattle rustling, adding that several numbers of Fulanis have been killed due to insecurity in the country.
According to him there should be a community-based approach that will involve every stakeholder to solve security challenges bedeviling the people.
Alhaji Nglzarma, who condemned the ethnic profiling of Fulani people as criminal elements, said that people should not always believe everything they see on social media.
To reduce cases of security challenges in the country to the barest minimum, he called for collaboration of host communities, indigenous Fulani and other stakeholders towards fashioning out organic solutions.
Alhaji Nglzarma said the leadership of Fulanis was working with different stakeholders to ensure peaceful coexistence in the country.
The Fulani leader commended the federal and the state government for the introduction of Livestock Development ministry in the country.
“The leadership of the association is also finding solutions to put an end to the situation whereby herders continue to wander about with their cattle. We’ve found out that the practice is no longer sustainable because ofthe increasing population. We’re looking at having a single herders’ settlement. Everyone wants to enjoy life”.
Nglzarma, who said that the Fulani population in the country required adequate support to ensure survival of their livestock business, added that livestock is their only means of economic livelihood.
He also commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state on his efforts at ensuring that security issue is given topmost priority.
In his address, Special Adviser to the Kwara state governor on security, Muyideen Aliyu, said the state government will collaborate with the Fulani community to ensure safety and security in the state
He advised the Fulani leaders to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons in their midst to ensure prompt action by law enforcement agencies.
Also speaking, the Hardon Hardodi (Fulani head) in Kwara state, Alhaji Mahmud Ojonla, who was represented by Alhaji Ali Muhammed Jowuro, advised those in positions of authority to ensure fairness and justice in their dealings with people.
He urged members of the MACBAN to remain vigilant and contribute their quota in ensuring safety and security in their various communities.
In her remarks the Special Assistant to Kwara state governor on Fulani, Hajiya Aishatu Yusuf, advised the Fulani to ensure peace and harmony among them and other ethnic groups in the state.
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Hajiya Yusuf urged the leaders to conduct their affairs of overseeing their people with fear of God.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Chairman Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kwara State Chapter, Alhaji Shehu Garba thanked the Fulani people for putting their trust in them.
He assured that the new leadership will collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure peaceful coexistence between the herders and farmers in the state.
Source: Channels TV
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