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  • Miyetti Allah Declares Support For APC, Ododo in Kogi

    Miyetti Allah Declares Support For APC, Ododo in Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Kogi State Chapter, on Saturday, declared their support for the All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, ahead of the November 11 election in the state.

    The State Executives of MACBAN, along with national leaders and hundreds of Fulanis, representing all 21 LGAs of Kogi State, visited the Government House to pledge their unwavering support for the Bello-led administration and the APC’s flag bearer.

    The Chairman of MACBAN, Kogi State, Umar Yusuf Damina, commended Governor Bello for his numerous achievements within the state and beyond.

    He specifically noted that the firm decision of MACBAN to support the APC was a testament to the Governor’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of members and his extensive efforts in providing security for all citizens and residents of Kogi State.

    The MACBAN chairman expressed the belief that the APC candidate, Ododo, would continue to build upon the solid foundation laid by the Governor.

    While receiving the MACBAN members, Governor Yahaya Bello welcomed their endorsement of APC and Ododo for the upcoming November 11 elections.

    The Governor, deeply moved by this display of unity, affirmed his administration’s stance against any form of discrimination against the Fulanis in Kogi State, particularly those engaged in lawful businesses both within Kogi and across the country.

    He lauded MACBAN for its valuable contributions in sharing information and gathering intelligence, which had aided conventional security forces in identifying and eliminating criminal elements among the Fulani community in the state.

    Governor Bello expressed his conviction that the Fulanis, known for their unwavering commitment to their word, would undoubtedly throw their support behind the APC during the November 11 polls.

    He emphasised the government’s resolute stance against the promotion of ethnicity and tribalism in the state.

    The governor, however, urged law-abiding Fulanis residing in the state to remain vigilant and help identify criminal elements among them, thereby contributing to the overall peace and safety of all residents.

  • 2023: Why we’re supporting Tinubu-Shettima – Miyetti Allah

    2023: Why we’re supporting Tinubu-Shettima – Miyetti Allah

    The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore socio-cultural organisation has said the presidential standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has promised to address the issue around the Livestock Intervention Programme and the retrieval of the “450 grazing routes across the country”.

    This was made known by the Secretary-General of the group, also known as Miyetti Allah, Mr Saleh Alhassan.

    It was earlier reported that the Livestock Intervention Programme was introduced two years after the suspension of the controversial Rural Grazing Area Scheme, also known as RUGA.

    According to the Federal Government, its aim, among others, was to address the lingering farmer-herder crisis across the country.

    Many southern states had called for ranching, saying since cattle rearing was a private business, herders ought to buy land and graze their cattle on it, adding that the measure would stop the frequent clashes between herders and farmers.

    Alhassan, whose group had earlier endorsed the Tinubu/Shettima ticket, expressed that a Tinubu administration would defend the interest of Fulani pastoralists.

    He said, “We have absolutely endorsed Tinubu for the presidency. We were there in the forum. This was based on the manifesto of the APC’s candidate. We felt our interest is better protected in the Tinubu/Shettima presidency. It was a unanimous endorsement of the candidature of Tinubu.

    “Tinubu gave us the commitment to ensure the implementation of the National Livestock Development Plan of the current administration of the President, Muhammadu Buhari, where they will ensure the modernisation of the livestock sub-sector and address the issue of cattle rustling and kidnapping allegations between herders and farmers.

    “We will have more ranches and exotic breeding grounds across the country and the gradual sedentarisation of the nomadic herders. This is what we are looking for in the Tinubu/Shettima presidency.

    “The 450 grazing routes, the majority of which are located in the North are the starting points of any modern ranch one wants to build in this country. Those are areas provided for herders to do their business for cattle rearing.

    “If one wants to start any form of modernisation, Nigeria should begin from the grazing routes which were dedicated for livestock farmers in the First Republic. We cannot build ranches on nothingness, and the issues of land have to be put into serious consideration. This is what Tinubu has promised to address.”

  • Miyetti Allah Harps on Creation of Nomadic Affairs Ministry, Knocks Ortom Over Anti-Grazing Law

    Miyetti Allah Harps on Creation of Nomadic Affairs Ministry, Knocks Ortom Over Anti-Grazing Law

    Socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Association, on Monday, called for the establishment of a ‘Federal Ministry of Nomadic Affairs’ with a mandate to broaden educational opportunities and address pastoralist challenges.

    The group also knocked the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, over his stance on the anti-grazing law.

    Miyetti Allah stated this in a communique issued Monday and jointly signed by its National President, Abdullahi Bodejo, and its National Secretary, Mr. Saleh Alhassan, at the end of the expanded National Executive Meeting with State Chairmen of the association held in Abuja.

    It also demanded the immediate designation, gazetting and development of all the 415 grazing reserves across the country.

    It said: “The meeting called for the immediate designation, gazetting and development of all the 415 grazing reserves across the states of the Federation as the only first strategic step in addressing the challenges confronting Fulani herders in Nigeria.

    “This will include building of earth dams and solar boreholes. Building of veterinary clinics. Development of dairy (milk) collection centres.”

    The group noted with dismay the recent massacre of Fulani pastoralists in Taraba State and called on the Inspector-General of Police to set up a high-powered panel to unmask those responsible for the dastardly acts and ensure justice is done to the victims’ families to avoid people resorting to self-help.

    “The meeting dismissed the consistent claims of farmers-herders conflicts as a major setback of instability and insecurity in Nigeria. But rather the conflicts are exacerbated by activities of states sponsored vigilantes and tribal hordes who wilfully continue to carry out extra-judicial killings of Fulani pastoralists.

    “The leadership of the association also condemned the continuous profiling of Fulani pastoralists by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, through the anti-grazing law. It said the governor had been using the law to officially confiscate and auction cattle belonging to Fulanis in Benue-Nasarawa and Benue-Taraba border communities”.

  • Why are you proscribing IPOB without proscribing Miyetti Allah? – Soyinka

    Why are you proscribing IPOB without proscribing Miyetti Allah? – Soyinka

    Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has questioned the Federal Government’s handling of the farmers-herders crisis in the country.

    Soyinka wondered why the Federal Government was yet to ban a cattle group, Miyetti Allah, while it had already proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group looking for the secession of the South-East from Nigeria.

    Speaking to Channels Television’s Newsnight, a pre-recorded program, which airs every Monday, Soyinka said Nigeria must always put the country’s history in perspective so as to understand security challenges.

    “My temperament doesn’t accept that anyone should chase me out of my God-given earth. So, it is a temperamental thing as well,” Soyinka said.

    “The idea that you can unleash terror on me because you want my little patch of territory or you want my soul, that is you want to subjugate me, you want to turn me into a slave. Well, I would sort that out first.

    “And then I will make up my mind whether I want to leave. So each outrage, unfortunately, has the opposite effect. Whether the outrage is taking place in Benue, Kaduna, or is taking place in Owo. Or whether it is taking place right here on the (Ogun state) border – we have also been subjected to this lunacy, of the subjugation mentality which some minority people hold. And I find it very difficult to accept to be chased out of my own entitled portion of the earth.

    “Many people just either do not know the history or do not understand the purpose of history. And then there’s a different group also who are very selective about history; they know how to distort or misuse history.

    “Take, for instance, when the incursion of the Fulani herdsmen began, and the Miyetti Allah. Their spokesman said, I think it was in Borno. We once ruled this place, and we can take back our land anytime we want. I remember that statement; I have never forgotten it. In the midst of the trauma of these people, somebody comes gloating and then citing selective portions of history. I said this person should be arrested and locked up, who says he wants to repeat his history of conquest – he is admitting either knowledge, before or after, or support, anyway. Is not there anything like hate speech anymore? Why are you proscribing IPOB without proscribing Miyetti Allah?”

  • Miyetti Allah Drags Gov Ortom to Court for Seizing Cows

    Miyetti Allah Drags Gov Ortom to Court for Seizing Cows

    The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore at the weekend disclosed that it had filed a suit against Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom before the International Criminal Court of Justice (ICC), Hague for allegedly seizing 25,000 cows belonging to its members.

    Miyetti Allah, a Fulani socio-cultural group, wanted the ICC to intervene in the detention of 4,000 Fulani herdsmen, who violated the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.

    The National Secretary-General of Miyetti Allah, Mr Saleh Alhassan revealed the decision at the weekend at a session with journalists on Friday.

    After inaugurating the state’s Community Volunteer Guards, Ortom had said he had secured the conviction of over 400 Fulani herders ‘besieging’ the state.

    He said Miyetti Allah had approached the ICC to file a suit against Ortom for seizing over 25,000 cows belonging to members of the group and detaining over 4,000 herders.

    The governor said: “We have secured the conviction of over 400 Fulani herders, who have besieged the state. We have seized over 25,000 cows.

    “We released some of the cows to the owners who paid fines and auctioned the cattle of those who did not pay because that is what the law says to ensure that we protect our lands.”

    Reacting to this development, Alhassan said Ortom was known for always “abducting and keeping” cows belonging to Fulani herders.

    “Ortom would go to Benue and Taraba states border communities and seize cows, making our members suffer. We don’t have herders in Benue. So, the livestock that he seized shows that he is part of the problem.

  • AFAN, Miyetti Allah Bows To End Farmers/Herders Clashes In Jigawa State

    AFAN, Miyetti Allah Bows To End Farmers/Herders Clashes In Jigawa State

    By Jabiru Hassan, Dutse

    All farmers association (AFAN) and Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association promised to work hand in hand with the Jigawa state government and the states security agencies in order to bring an end to the farmers/herders clashes in the state.

    In a separate interviews with the leaders of AFAN and Miyetti Allah after a recent clash that resulted in the killing of 3 persons injuring over 15 people, our correspondent reported that the leaders of the warring factions resolved to end the crisis for peace and unity to reign.

    Alhaji Idris Yau Mai Unguwa who is the Jigawa state chairman of All Farmers Association, told Daybreak that ” what had happened is very unfortunate, and we have tried our best with the leadership of Miyetti Allah and the Jigawa state government to restore peace and unity between the two warring factions”.

    He added that Jigawa state governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar is trying his best to ensure that all is well in the state and from our side as farmers, we are certain that the measures being carried at present would bring an end to the clashes especially between farmers and herdsmen across the state.

    Mai Unguwa called on the Jigawa state farmers to remain calm and law abiding citizens as the leaders of the two sides and the state government are working out strategies that would restore the cordial relationship between the farmers and herdsmen in the state.

    In his remark, the chairman of Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association Alhaji Adamu Idris Babura announces that “although we suffered more than the farmers, but we have told our people to stay calm so as not to take law into their hands because we are trying our best to ensure that peace is restored”

    Adamu Babura lamented that clashes between farmers and herders in Jigawa state would soon become a history because the State government is working selflessly to bring unity amongst the two warring sides, where the two leaders consoled the families of those killed during the clash and prayed for quick recovery to those who are receiving treatment in various hospitals.

  • We will invoke the wrath of God on those opposing the open grazing law – Miyetti Allah

    We will invoke the wrath of God on those opposing the open grazing law – Miyetti Allah

    Fulani herdsmen under the aegis of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore say despite their exit from the South-East and the implementation of the anti-open grazing law, the region has continued to witness insecurity.

    The spokesman for the group, Saleh Alhassan, stated this during a chat with PUNCH Live on Tuesday, adding that the development was evidence that Fulani herders were never the problem.

    He said that there was no more open grazing in most parts of the South-East but only cattle trading, adding that the cows being sold in the South-East mostly belong to Igbo traders.

    Alhassan stated, “That nonsense you see in the South-East is a manifestation of frustration… They will continue burning their cities, killing themselves.

    “Now that the herders are not there, they are still killing themselves. Sometimes they wear Fulani attires to continue to commit heinous crimes.

    “Now that the herders are not there, are they having peace in the East?”

    Alhassan added that the constant sit-at-home orders given by the Indigenous People of Biafra which were being violently enforced had led to the loss of cattle, hence the exit of Miyetti Allah.

    “Those Biafrans are shooting and killing their animals. Those making noise in the media are cattle traders. They will not go anywhere. The cows you see there now belong to the Igbo,” he stated.

    The Miyetti Allah spokesman said the group would not obey the anti-open grazing law being passed in most parts of the South because open grazing remains a way of life.

    He said that the group would be suing all the states enforcing the law, adding that Miyetti Allah would also make political and spiritual steps.

    “First, we take legal action; secondly, we’ll seek a political solution and then spiritual. We will invoke the wrath of God on those opposing the open grazing law,” Alhassan said.

    The Miyetti Allah spokesman also denied reports that Dr. Chike Akunyili was murdered by herdsmen last week.

    He argued that the blanket ban on open grazing in the South was connected to the 2023 elections and was a ploy by southern governors to force their northern counterparts to negotiate for the presidency amid the raging debate on zoning.

    Alhassan, however, vowed that the group would never support the presidential ambition of any governor that is enforcing the ban on open grazing.

    He said a governor like Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State who is at the forefront of enforcing the ban on open grazing should forget about getting their support.

    When asked why herders are not embracing ranching, the Miyetti Allah spokesman argued that ranching was expensive and could not be done overnight.

    He advised governors to set up ranches and then lease them to herders rather than ban open grazing without providing an alternative.

  • Do your worst, Anti-Open Grazing law stays – Akeredolu blasts Miyetti Allah

    Do your worst, Anti-Open Grazing law stays – Akeredolu blasts Miyetti Allah

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has blasted the Miyetti Allah Kataul Hore over plans to move against the anti-open grazing law in the state and other southern states.

    Akeredolu who is the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum and the Coordinator of the Southern Governors’ Forum disclosed that nothing would make him and other governors rescind their decision.

    The governor stated this on Wednesday in a statement issued by his aide on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale.

    Recall that the group had through its secretary, Saleh Alhassan stated the anti-open grazing laws would affect the relative peace and stability currently enjoyed in communities.

    Akeredolu said the move by Miyetti Allah was an indication that the group was unbothered about the crimes perpetrated under the pretence of being herders.

    While emphasizing that no bandit would be allowed to operate in the State under “any dubious guise”, he said the government has the “responsibility to implement the law for the benefit of the people of the state and those, who may share in their aspiration for development of their God-given space.”

    “They claim to be above the law of any State in the Federation. They warn of the imminent breach of peace and promotion of pervasive anarchy if they are not allowed to ravage the sweat and toil of the long-suffering farmers who, apparently, don’t count for much in the scheme of things in their estimation.

    “No part of our land will be given to foreigners who cling to a dubious regional protocol as an instrument validating dispossession. Let him practice his cultural practices on his father’s land. His likes will not be permitted to operate with impunity in Ondo State. We will defend our land.”

  • Miyetti Allah Asks FG To Stop State Governors From Enacting Anti-Open Grazing Laws

    Miyetti Allah Asks FG To Stop State Governors From Enacting Anti-Open Grazing Laws

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) on Monday asked the Federal Government to stop state governors from enacting the anti-open grazing law.

    MACBAN Secretary-General, Saleh Alhassan made the comment during a press conference in Abuja.

    He said the law would undermine the relative peace and stability currently enjoyed in the local communities, threaten the social order and exacerbate cattle rustling.

    “The National Assembly and Mr President should intervene and stop the current attempts by some state governments to criminalise our means of livelihood of cattle-rearing through enacting of satanic and obnoxious laws they call Anti-Grazing Law,” he noted.

    “The Federal Government should create a ministry for livestock and fisheries as obtainable in many African countries. Nigerians should adopt strategies in responding to changes of climate change as it affects livestock production not negative laws.”

    Alhassan noted that anti-open grazing laws would destroy livestock production and send millions who depend on the livestock value chain into poverty.

    The Miyetti Allah leader also called on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to take an inventory of grazing reserves in the country and fully develop at least one grazing reserve in each senatorial zone.

    He appealed to the National Assembly to rescue the pastoralists by resuscitating and passing the Grazing Reserves Commission Bill and other livestock management bills initiated by the previous assembly.

    While referencing the African Union and ECOWAS Protocols/regulation of pastoralists and trans humans, the MACBAN spokesman asked the Nigerian government to domesticate the law in the country.

    According to him, if the protocols are properly documented and implemented, it will effectively tackle the scourge of illegal migration in Nigeria.

    Alhassan’s remarks come four months after the Southern Governors Forum announced a ban on open grazing of cattle across states in the region.

    The governors after meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital, asked President Buhari to address Nigerians on the state of the nation.

    It also met months later and instructed states in the region to enact anti-open grazing laws in their domain to curb incessant clashes between herders and farmers.

  • Miyetti Allah Hands Over Kidnappers To Police In Taraba

    Miyetti Allah Hands Over Kidnappers To Police In Taraba

    The leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has handed over 11 suspected kidnappers and gun runners to the police.

    The suspects were handed over to Taraba police commissioner, Mr Abimbola Sokoya, at Maraban kunini, on Sunday.

    They were presented during the formal inauguration of a 16-man committee set up to tackle criminal activities, especially kidnapping.

    The chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle breeders Association in the state, Sahabi Tukur, said this was done in response to pledge made before the Emir of Muri Alhaji Abbas Tafida, and state Commissioner of police that they will expose criminal elements among them.

    He said the committee members drawn from all the Fulani clans in the state would work along with police and other security agents in all the 16 local government areas of the state to fish out kidnappers and other criminals.

    The police commissioner commended the Fulani for their resolve to address kidnapping and other crimes being perpetrated by bad eggs among them.

    He also called for collaboration effort between Adamawa, Benue and Taraba states in tackling kidnapping and other criminals activities.

    He assured the Fulani of his command’s support to the command support in their efforts to weed out criminals elements among them.

    Similarly, six kidnappers who repented have sworn with the Holy Qur’an that they would not engage in kidnapping, Cattle rustling or any other form of criminals activities anymore.