In the wake of the Federal Government’s likeliness to establish cattle colonies, Nigerians on social media have aired their opinions saying that establishment of cattle colonies is an idea dead on arrival.
#TribuneChat discussion forum on Facebook engaged Nigerians on the difference between cattle colonies and ranching and a good number of reactions boiling down to the fact that the establishment is a failed mission even before it began, adding that the government is not ready for peace and “are just leading us on with grammar.”
One of such reactions by Abiodun Olatunji Adeniran said that “This government is not ready for peace. Just using different English words to steal lands for the Fulanis. Colonies, grazing reserves/zones. Why not Republics of Herdsmen. How much is the Miyetti, whatever killers squad are paying as tax. Why is this federal government giving them undeserved treatment/ favour? I’m worried.”
Some are of the opinion that Benue is predominantly a farming environment owing to the fact that the people of Benue are farmers and the Fulanis are on their land. One of such people is facebook’s Agbakwa Donatus. He is of the opinion that the people of Benue valley, in particular, are farmers, as such, they cannot offer their land for that. “Unless the Fulanis will come to terms that the land is lease for ranching only. They should surrender their AK47 guns as law abiding citizens as they are seen as foreigners.”
According to the reactions, It has been gathered that most of the Fulanis that have co-existed with the people of Benue State were not hostile like the ones that now go about triggering happy killing, maiming, raping and destroying crops and houses. However, Benjamin-Martyns Afolabi says “capital no to secret plan of Islamic colonisation through cattle colonies.” He added: “I can hear a rumble of civil unrest as a result of this deception. We cannot accept cattle colonies for God’s sake.”
Aderemi Oparinde is of the opinion that “Little by little, Nigerians especially Southern part of the country are being pushed to the wall. Day in day out, the Southerners are being told that they are second-class citizens in a country they laboured to build. For how long shall we continue to live as second-class citizens in a country where our efforts to make it grow are thwarted by those who are “born to rule” For how long shall we continue to live like slaves in our own country. The time for disintegration of Nigeria is now. It’s now when we still have little to share. The truth is bitter and we have to say it. Yesterday, it was the Boko Harams terrorists, today, it’s the herdsmen terrorising us and they are all from the North. The question is how many Nigerians did IPOB kill before they were declared as terrorists? Why do the Government engage in a double standard? Our association together has not yielded any positive fruit. Why then can’t we separate and live peacefully?”
Iheme Obinna Collins Cattle colonies with whose money? Cattle rearing is a private business and the cattle owners should build colonies for their cattle themselves since it is their business. USA has more cattle than Nigerian and yet has no issue with destruction and crisis.