The senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, on Monday asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, to order pastoralists out of Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja.
Mr. Melaye made the call when the minister testified before the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory. The committee is chaired by Mr. Melaye.
Mr. Melaye reminded Mr. Bello that an earlier directive issued against the activities of herdsmen within the city had been ignored and a drastic action must be taken to end the menace.
“Honourable Minister, Senate as an institution is not happy at how Fulani herdsmen continue to move their cows across the city centre, which we are aware you have given directive against that some time ago,” Mr. Melaye said.
Mr. Melaye said Mr. Bello should direct municipal workers to move about with tools to either slaughter cows or seize them and place heavy fines on their owners.
“From now, get knives and ask your men to slaughter cows found in the capital city or prosecute herdsmen seen with cows in the city centre with a fine of N50, 000 per cow. This order must be carried out,” Mr. Melaye said.
Concerns have continued to mount about the activities of herdsmen across the FCT in recent months, as cows could be seen wandering around the city center, causing traffic gridlock and sometimes accidents.
City residents called on the Nigerian government to proffer solutions to the menace.
Source: Premium Times
