A Fulani leader in the South West, Abdulkadir Salihu has cried out over string of attacks on herdsmen and cattle rearers in his domains, saying their cows are being killed on a daily basis.
Salihu, who is the President of Jamu Nati Fulbe, a Fulani Socio-cultural organization in the southwest, said herders have become targets of attacks in view of recent developments in the country.
Speaking with Daily Trust, the Serikin Fulani of Gangan in Ibarapa area of Oyo state said “people now see us as enemies”.
He alleged that cattle rearers in the community are losing their cows every day from poisonous substance dumped on grazing areas in the community.
Oyo state has two grazing areas established by the Federal Government which were gazetted.
However, the Fulani leader sought for adequate protection for herders who graze their cattle on the established grazing areas.
“We are losing our cattle every day. We are tired of what is happening. We are now seen as enemies in the community. We are being stigmatized as if we are common criminals,” he said.
“How do you calm an herdsman who lost 15 cows in a day? Right now, I am afraid of what might happen if this spate of attacks on our members is not curbed,” Kadir added.
Speaking on the recent Benue killings allegedly blamed on herders, he insisted that Fulani herdsmen are not criminally minded as being painted in the media.
According to him, Fulani herdsmen are victims of media stereotyping as all crimes and criminalities are now unjustly blamed on them.
He said the implementation of the anti – open grazing law by the Benue state government is not the solution to the current imbroglio between farmers and cattle rearers both of whom he said are pursuing economic survival.
He suggested that grazing reserves backed by law remain the pragmatic solution to the confrontation between farmers and herdsmen across the country.
“This is what government should work on. Getting a land for grazing would not be easy for Fulani herdsmen except government at the federal and state levels actualize this. Farmers and herdsmen are both important in this country and government must strive to protect us all as we pursue our legitimate businesses,” he said.
