By Abiola Olawale
Sequel to the quit notice issued to Fulani herders in Ondo, Oyo and some states in the country, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, (MACBAN), has disclosed that herders have started relocating to Kano RUGA settlements.
Recall Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, who had openly condemned open grazing, said his state was ready to welcome herders from parts of the country to Kano for a ranching system.
MACBAN Secretary and the leader of the Fulani herdsmen in Kano, Zubairu Ibrahim, while speaking with the journalist, Monday said members have indicated interest in relocating to the north.
According to Ibrahim, some of his fellow herdsmen who indicated interest are from states such as Nasarawa, Niger, Enugu, Oyo, among others.
In his words, “We have some Fulani herdsmen from Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Jigawa who are now in Kano. The governor has invited anyone willing to stay in the RUGA settlement to come. If they come and they are good people, nothing will stop us from receiving them. All they need to do is to follow the rules and regulations of government.
“They should go for grazing in the afternoon and not at night. Nothing can stop them from coming if they are interested. Since the governor of Ondo State has gone to the media to say that they (herdsmen) should vacate the area, instead of staying there they should leave. they should leave so that something bad does not happen to them and their property. They should just vacate the area for their safety,” the MACBAN Secretary said.
There have been heated ethnic crises in the South West region following the quit notice issued to the herders in Ondo and Oyo, by Governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu and Popular O’odua activist Sunday Igboho respectively.
The ultimatum was given to the herders for allegedly perpetrating the recent attacks that have dampened the security of the Southwestern States.
Recall also that Governors of the South West and South East have recently placed a ban on open grazing and movement of cattle by foot.
