The chairman of the Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, in the South East zone, Alhaji Giddado Sadiq, has explained how the Fulani Vigilante will work in communities of the South-East, despite many kicking against the idea.
According to Alhaji Sadiq, the proposed Fulani Vigilante will work in communities of the South-East.
He also noted that ranching is almost impossible in the zone because of limited land space.
Alhaji Sadiq who revealed that much in an interview with Vanguard said farmers and herders’ clashes will be curtailed by the task force, or vigilante whenever a report is made.
He said; “Most of the clashes we are having between farmers and herders are about the destruction of crops or killing of cattle. If we have a task force or vigilante from our own Fulani side, whenever a report is made to me as a leader, like in a recent report made to me at Uzo-Uwani, which I assigned four boys to go and assess that destruction, value the destruction and make sure that the owners of the cattle pay compensation to the farmer.
“This thing cannot be done with only Fulani, at least the host will be there, the governor’s aide will be there with the Fulani, they will go and assess, after assessing they will know the Fulani that is responsible for that destruction. This is how they can work. Whenever there is a report of anything, these people will go. If the person responsible is from our side, they will know.
Alhaji Sadiq’s comments comes after Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has said the South-West would not surrender an inch of its land for Ruga settlement for herdsmen.
This was disclosed by Yinka Odumakin, the Secretary General of the Association, adding that Yoruba was not in support of the Ruga settlement meant for Fulani herdsmen, describing it as a ploy to colonise the country by the nomadic tribe.
According to Odumakin, the moves had confirmed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s statement that there was a plan to ‘Fulanise the country.’