Kayode Lawal
Cattle rearers in the country on Thursday in Abuja accused President Muhamadu Buhari of letting them down on the security of their lives and properties throughout his tenure
They claimed that Buhari, as a cattle breeder, ought to have brought cattle breeders and farmers together with a view to finding 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 expressed optimism that the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 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 appealed to the incoming President to look into activities of security agents in charge of volatile 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 deter other criminally minded individuals.
While calling 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.
Alh. Auwal Gonga urged the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish a ministry of Pastoralist Affairs to manage issues around this aspect of the economy in line with global best practice as obtainable in most neighbouring countries and other ECOWAS member countries.
The ministry will be charged with the responsibility of harmonizing and managing the affairs of both farmers and pastoralists, instead of living it in the hands of security agencies whom he accused of bias.
