*Say Nigeria lost over N500bn to farmers-herders’ conflicts; Buhari failed
Cattle breeders in Nigeria have expressed displeasure at the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as it concerns the security of lives and property during his tenure.
They claim that Buhari, who claims to be a cattle breeder, ought to have brought cattle breeders and farmers together with a view to finding an amicable solution to the persistent conflicts that had led to loss of several lives in virtually all states of the federation.
At a joint press conference, the Cattle Breeders however, expressed hope that incoming administration will restore peace between herders and farmers.
The joint press conference was attended by the National President, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Dr. Baba Othman Ngelzarma; President General, Fulbe Global Development and Rights Initiative (FGDRI) Dr. Salim Musa Umar; Vice President, Tabital Pulaaku International Nigeria Chapter, Alh Auwal A. Gonga under the umbrella of Pastoralists Association of Nigeria (COPAN).
Dr. Salim Musa, who spoke at the forum demanded that the incoming President look into activities of security agents in charge of these areas and mandate them to do more in protecting innocent people who are continuously harassed by the activities of those described as criminal vigilante and bandits.
COPAN called on the security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute all those involved to serve as a deterrent to other criminally minded individuals.
While calling on elected officials at all levels of government to be responsive to factors that may escalate insecurity in the country, the coalition also urged pastoral communities in the states to exercise restraint in the face the calamity that has befallen them.
Responding to questions, Alh. Auwal Gonga urged the incoming administration to establish the Federal Ministry of Pastoralist Affairs to manage issues around this aspect of the economy, in line with global best practices, and as obtainable in most neighbouring countries and other ECOWAS member countries.
According to them, the ministry will be charged with the responsibility of harmonizing and managing the affairs of both farmers and pastoralists, instead of leaving it in the hands of security agencies whom he said have shown themselves to be biased.
Concluding, the MACBAN president said;
“You see, wether we are happy he’s going or not, one thing is clear:
“It is on record that after eight years of his (Buhari) administration, over N500 billion was spent on agronomy and nothing was spent on livestock farmsteads.
“And we have never had it so bad like when Buhari was in government.
“This is the worst era for the Nigerian pastoralists – we’ve never had it so bad like this time.”
