Ranches ‘ll Curb Herders, Farmers Clashes – MURIC Tells Buhari
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – With growing support for Nigeria to go the way of ranching, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) says the Federal Government should urgently assist herdsmen through bailout funds to secure lands for ranching in different States.
The body maintained that such an arrangement has become necessary if the country must move forward and find a lasting solution to the incessant clashes between farmers and herders in the country.
A statement released on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 by MURIC Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the move will also act to contain growing insecurity across the country.
The statement titled; “MURIC to FG: Give bailout funds to herders to buy land for ranching”, said bailout funds should be extended to herders as being enjoyed by the banks; airlines; and vehicle producing companies as well as petroleum importers.
Professor Akintola said such financial assistance would come in handy for herders and cow owners who “may not be willing; or they may lack the capacity to buy land for cattle grazing.”
He further stated that; “As for the will, Northern traditional leaders have a role to play in persuading herders and cow owners to change their mind set; and become willing to operate ranches. Concerning financial capacity, this is where FG should come in.”
According to the MURIC Director; “FG must be prepared to stoop in order to conquer. A huge bailout must be granted to herders and cow owners to enable them to buy land and set up ranches.
“Such a bailout is not new and the herders/farmers conundrum necessitates it. After all banks, airlines, private vehicle producing companies; petroleum importers; and even farmers have received subsidies; bailouts; and waivers in the past.”
He further stated that; “It is now the turn of herders as well as cow owners; and the time to do it is now.”
Professor Akintola insisted that the herder-farmer conflicts do not have ethnic and religious connotations; and that cattle also destroy crops in the northern part of the country.
The MURIC statement added; “For example, herders who destroy farms in Zamfara are Northerners. It is also generally assumed that they are Muslims. Zamfara hunters and vigilante men who protect the farms and chase the herders; are also Northerners and Muslims as well.
“Bandits in Sokoto are also Northerners; while the local guards organized to keep the bandits at bay are also Northerners.”
Following the 7-day ultimatum issued to criminal herdsmen on January 18, 2021 by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State to either vacate forest reserves in the state or face the full wrath of the law, a meeting of South West governors; Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and other stakeholders agreed on prohibiting open and night grazing in their states to contain banditry and the farmers/herders crisis.
Similarly, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State had even proposed a ban on the movement of cattle from the north to the south as part of measures to address the worrying issues of insecurity nationwide.
