Restrict Fulani herdsmen to the North, cleric advises FG

FOLLOWING alleged killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country, the Anglican Bishop of Calabar Diocese, Right Reverend Tunde Adeleye, has called on the Federal Government to restrict the activities of the herdsmen to the northern part of the country.

Reverend Adeleye, who stated this in Calabar during a press briefing to mark the 2nd Session of the 9th Synod of the diocese, said restricting the herdsmen would stop them from always having conflicts with farmers.

He, however, condemned calls in some quarters for the creation of grazing lands, describing such calls as wicked and selfish.

“Human beings are being killed so that cows may feed. Yet, the government does not seem to be keen on doing anything.

“Even now, we understand that the Fulani Cattle rearers are asking for grazing land for their cows within people’s communities. We think that the request for grazing lands in the country is wicked and selfish, to the advantage of some people and the exclusion of others.’’

The Anglican Bishop said that if a personal business had become the Federal Government’s responsibility for a particular set of people in the country, such benefits and opportunities should be extended to every part of the country for other people and their businesses.

“The fishermen and farmers should also be provided with lands for nomadic farming. What is good for the goose is also relevant and good for the gander.

“Our submission is that herdsmen should be restricted to the North. This will stop them from always having conflicts with farmers. Where necessary states can also enact laws to prevent them from encroaching on others people’s land such as Ekiti State.”