Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, Lamido of Adamawa Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, Professor Ango Abdullahi and Dr. Aliyu Tilde and other stakeholders on Saturday met with the leadership of various Fulani socio-cultural groups such as Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Katul Houre and Gan Allah Fulani Development Association to find ways of ending the recurring violent clashes involving and other Nigerians across the country.
Speaking at the event, the Emir of Kano said there was on-going effort to ending the lingering crisis between stakeholders and the federal government and urged members of various associations to avoid conflict that would lead to disunity.
He disclosed that at the meeting the federal government’s team which included vice president Yomi Osinbajo, minister of agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe; Minister of Interior Abdulrahaman Danbazzau and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris as well as stakeholders such as himself, Professor Ango Abdullahi and Lamido of Adamawa among others useful suggestions were made on the matter.
He said at the Abuja meeting the agriculture agreed to send out his officials to trace the gazetted grazing reserves across the country and the need for the federal government to assist herdsmen with feeds and water as it is done in developed countries of the world.
He said stakeholders would also liaise with state governors of Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa and Kano, who have indicated interest in allocating grazing reserves, with a view to developing such.
The Emir also explained that the meeting also resolved that vice president explore the possibility of persuading governors who have spoken out against donating land for grazing reserves to jettison such position.
He also disclosed that Inspector General of Police was urged to clampdown on anybody who possess illegal arms and prevailed on state governments not to arm militias.
He urged herders to imbibe the culture of patient and perseverance even in the face of provocation, adding that patience is strength rather weakness.
He urged various Fulani associations to identify criminals within their midst for prosecution, while also appealing to Nigerians, especially the media to avoid ethnic profiling whenever a crime is committed by persons of certain tribe, saying criminals have no tribal marks.
Leaders of various associations in their separate presentations agreed to take the message of peace to their members, even as they agreed with whatever resolutions taken between the stakeholders and federal government in the interest of peace and unity of the country.
