By Mu’azu Abubakar Albarkawa, Kaduna
The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, has called on the federal government to take immediate steps to evacuate all herdsmen currently in the South back to the North.
The call it said, is in view of the unfolding scenario set by the ratification of a regime of laws that potentially seek to limit the free movement of herders in the 17 Southern Nigerian states as well as alleged Akeredolu’s uncompromising adamance.
A statement by CNG’s spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman made available to newsmen on Tuesday, said a study has shown that at present, only ten percent of the Fulani herdsmen live and conduct business in the entire South.
“With the incessant show of animosity against the pastoral communities by the people of the South and their leaders, it has become a matter of urgent necessity for the federal government of Nigeria to take steps to evacuate the remaining ten percent of herders currently in the South back home.
“With the onset of the fresh systematic vilification of the herdsmen at official level, it is important to evacuate them peacefully since apparently their security could not be guaranteed in their host communities in the southern part of the country.
“A study has shown that with all the over-hyped hatred for the pastoral communities by the South and their leaders, only ten percent of herders live in the entire South which can conveniently be accommodated in the North,” Suleiman said.
CNG also told northern governors to commence preparation to receive the returning Fulani communities and their livestock assets by identifying suitable grazing lands for them and making sufficient allowance for farmers at the same time.
The Group warned that the nation would be treading dangerous grounds if it continued to tolerate demonisation of entire groups over particular types of crimes which Asaba Declaration by the 17 southern governors seeks to do.
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors to act now protect law-abiding members of Fulani communities from falling trap set by the aggressive policy of the southern governors who apparently believe that Fulani have no rights in Nigeria.”
