Buhari “comes to his senses”, orders herdsmen out of Abuja
Embarrassed by opinions suggesting President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration favours cows over humans, a top Nigerian official appointed by the president has ordered herdsmen to move their cattle out of the Abuja, the country’s seat of power.
Abuja was like this weeks ago…
And people complained.
FCT minister Muhammad Bello said, Monday, enough is enough. But he stopped short of declaring open cattle grazing illegal like democratically elected Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose did.
“Even for safety reasons, cattle should not roam on the streets and highways in the city, and this is not because the government wants to prevent cattle breeders from raring cattle in the Territory,” Bello said following a meeting with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, FCT chapter.
“You have to understand that when Abuja Environmental Protection Board says cattle should not roam the city, it is not because they want to prevent cattle breeders from raring cattle in the FCT. Basically, it is just for safety. It is for safety of your cattle and above all, safety of the citizens.
“In a modern city, it’s not possible for animals and vehicles to move together on the roads because this could cause accidents, which in some cases could be fatal, and it is our duty to protect lives and property.”
The statement was issued by Muhammad Sule, Bello’s media aide.
“During the meeting in his office,” the statement reads, “the minister reiterated that herdsmen must move their cattle out of the federal capital city because there is no way such animals can cohabit with the residents.”
Bello said the herdsmen must move to grazing areas the government is providing.
“A total of 33,485 hectares have already been earmarked for grazing reserves to cater for about 7 million herds of cattle comprising of Paikon Kore 8,500 hectares, Karshi 6,000 hectares, Kawu in Bwari 9,000 hectares and Rubochi in Kuje 9,985 hectares.
“The FCT administration may even reach out to the host communities to work out a situation where compensation does not have to be in monetary terms because of the large expanse of land involved.
“Nothing should prevent the communities that are there and the Fulanis living together because you don’t always have to move people away.”
Open cattle grazing has led to repeated bloody clashes between Nigerian herdsmen and farmers with farmers and their families reportedly getting killed for attacking farm-vandalising cows.
Buhari wants to solve this problem by creating grazing reserves at the “backyard” of every geopolitical region.
Most Nigerians reject the move saying it would lead to more clashes. Others who support it say herdsmen must pay for the use of such lands.
“The order for herdsmen to move out of Abuja is a welcome development,” a resident told NewsroomNG on Monday. “It seems our president just regained his senses and made the right decision”.
