The umbrella body of all Fulani cattle breeders in Nigeria, The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has demanded for the establishment of vigilante group made up of youths from Fulani extraction operating within the Southeast region.
The group made this call on Thursday during the region’s Security summit organized by South East Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture, (SECCIMA) in collaboration with South East Governors Forum (SEGF) in Enugu, pointing out that the vigilante group if formed will compliment the security aparatchic of their host community.
The herdsmen lamented their inability to carry out their trade in the region owing to the incessant clashes between them and the farmers.
The National President of MACBAN, Alhaji Mohammadu Kirowa lamented that, once insecurity is mentioned in Nigeria, the first idea that comes into mind is Fulani herdsmen.
Represented by the National Secretary, Alhaji Baba Usman Ngelzerma, MACBAN noted that the Fulani vigilante will help in curbing the issue of security between herders and farmers.
“The Fulani Youth Vigilant body will be working with the security, the neighborhood watch or vigilante to ensure security in all communities,” Kirowa said adding that the measure has already been adopted by the Enugu state government.
“We will solicit for your support and cooperation in adopting dialogue where problems exist as a means of brokering peace and to report cases against our members to either the Fulani Youth Vigilante Group, state or local branch of the association,” he added.
In his reaction, the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi represented by his Deputy, Kelechi Igwe stated that the region cannot engage in policy of exclusion to limit any farmer or herder, but that rules of engagement should be observed in every relationship.
