John Shiklam in Kaduna
The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore a fulani socio-cultural association, has said anti grazing law is a time bomb.
The group also said the law is an attempt to destroy means of livelihood of herders.
The anti-grazing law is currently operating in Benue State following the raiding and killing of hundreds of people in rural communities allegedly by herdsmen.
Several states, including Taraba and Plateau, which are being ravaged by herdsmen are considering enacting the law to curb the deadly activities of herdsmen.
However, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, National President of the association and Sale Alhassan, its secretary, at a news conference yesterday in Kaduna at the end of their Northwest zonal meeting, said the anti-grazing law is not in the best interest of peaceful coexistence.
The association called on the Inspector General of Police (IG) to provide security for the herdsmen, particularly those in Benue and Taraba States who are currently facing all forms of threat.
“The grazing law agenda is destroying herders means of livelihood and we are appealing for immediate intervention to safe the Fulani pastoralist from the total destruction of their means of livelihood by current trends from some state governors enacting segregated anti grazing law which targets primarily at the economic livelihood of the herders,†Bodejo said.
He however debunked rumours that there were plans by the herders to attack Benue communities, saying Fulani people are peaceful and law abiding citizens who will not do anything that will truncate peaceful coexistence.
Bodejo said: “At the end of the Northwest meeting, after series of deliberations, we are completely opposed to the anti-grazing law and we are worried on the possible crisis that may emerge if such laws are allowed to take effect.
“It is a negative law because it attempts to expel Fulani herdsmen from their grazing areas for ages; besides, that of Benue anti-grazing law, no herder were involved during the cause of its preparation to get their input
“To us, ensuring security of citizens should be the priority of government, but this anti-grazing law is nothing but a time bomb if not addressed with wisdom.
“It is a national challenge that requires a national intervention by well-meaning government, because it is capable of creating serious conflicts in the land resources…
“We have continued to appeal to our members to be law abiding and I want to say categorically that the rumours that Fulani herdsmen are planning to attack communities in Benue State is not true and must be ignored by well-meanin
g Nigerians.
