FULANI HERDSMEN: AGGRESSORS NOT THE VICTIMS - REV FR MICHAEL NUMBE

CIWA Port Harcourt.
I have read with mixed feelings, the various reactions that have come from the cattle breeders of different nomenclatures following the recent passage of the Bill prohibiting free grazing of cattle in Benue State.

Before now these trouble mongers had extended their cattle breeding activities all over the country, even to big cities like Port Harcourt where there is hardly any natural vegetation. Wherever they went death, chaos, arson, tears, etc. was their parting gift to the indigenes. Quite frankly, they have, in recent times, proven beyond any doubt that they are very bad visitors.

Besides, The various victims of their murderous visits have waited in vain for something decisive to be done by the Federal Government. Nothing. Just complicit silence over the whole issue.

The truth is that no one can keep such a guest for long. The people have had enough at the hands of these killer-guests.
Who will then blame any community for taking measures to regulate their activities? First it was Ekiti State that enacted a law aimed at regulating free grazing of cattle In its lands. After enduring the pain to an unreasonable extent, Benue State, which has borne the brunt of the attacks, finally enacted a similar law which regulates the rearing of animals in the state.

Now, ironically, various Fulani groups are claiming victim and throwing up all kinds of puerile tantrums as if someone has snatched a toy from them! But are they really the victims they are claiming to be? Let the World judge between us

MEANWHILE PLEASE LET US ALL KEEP THESE FEW POINTS IN MIND WHILE LOOKING AT THE SITUATION

- We have been repeatedly attacked and many of our people killed, others raped and maimed, some others kidnapped, and a lot of our farms, crops and properties destroyed. We have not retaliated at all. We are law abiding citizens of Nigeria. We only responded by enacting a law.
- The law prohibiting free grazing of cattle is a response. It came only after it has become clear that the activity has become a big problem to the State.
- The law does not prohibit the rearing of cattle in the State. It rather brings sanity into it as it has been done in other societies that have working constitutions.
- The law does not mention any ethnic group.
- There are people from other ethnic groups living happily in Benue State and carrying out their various activities without having any conflicts with the indigenes
- Cattle rearing is a private business. As such the owners are strictly responsible for providing all that it takes to engage in it.
- Crops don't attack cattle or cattle rearers. Thus farmers could have never been the cause of the crisis.
- There have hardly ever been human casualties on the side of the Herdsmen as against the hundreds of deaths on the side of the victim communities!
HOW THEN CAN THE FULANI CATTLE REARERS CLAIM TO BE THE VICTIMS OF THE LAW PROHIBITING FREE GRAZING OF CATTLE IN BENUE STATE?
That claim is bunkum.
We will not be intimidated!


Snazzy Face of the Week is a platform on Snazzy.com.ng Home Page, where you can place your face, products, services and more, right at the top and button of the website for just $3.15 or N1000 for a whole week, which will be viewed by millions of people worldwide. If you want to get popular or you have products and services to sell online, this is a great opportunity for you go public. Become Snazzy.com.ng Face of the Week by filling this form or send your details and photos of your products and services to this email: nyiterandrew@gmail.com with a fee of $3.15 or N1000 only. Your face or products and services will be viewed by millions worldwide with Snazzy Face of the Week you can sale yourself or your products and services. CLICK THE MAKE PAYEMENT BELOW TO APPLY FOR SNAZZY FACE OF THE WEEK