Council of Fulani chiefs advocates ban on night grazing, illegal bearing of firearms, underage grazing in Southwest 

By Olatide Adewoyin 

CITIZENS COMPASS—The Council of Fulani Chiefs of South West Nigeria on Sunday, advocated ban on night grazing, underage grazing and carrying of firearms by herders particularly in the Southwest region of Nigeria.

His Royal Highness Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Bambado Il, Sarki Fulani of Lagos and Chairman Council of Fulani Chiefs South West Nigeria, advocated this at a press conference which was held in his palace in Lagos State.

Addressing the press conference, the Council under the leadership of the Sarki Fulani outrightly demanded an end to herders-farmers clash in the region calling on security agencies to as a matter of urgency fish out the criminal element perpetrating this.

While calling for Global best practices in livestock production,

Alhaji Bambado, called on herders carrying firearms and dangerous weapons in the region to desist or face the wrath of law.

The Council said it categorically affirmed  commitment towards sustaining the established peaceful coexistence with the host community.

According to him, “The Council of Fulani Chiefs of Southwest, Nigeria, categorically affirms their commitment towards sustaining the established peaceful coexistence with the host community. Going down to memory lane, we have enjoyed over 200 years of cordial Fulani existence in the Southwest. Indeed, we are firm, committed, and determined to pass on the sustained peaceful coexistence that has been maintained to our future generations.

“On this note, we affirm our commitment to the following decisions;

Collaboration with DAWN Commission 

“This body, which is the apex body of the Fulani Community in the Southwest, has resolved to strengthen the effective partnership with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission) in ensuring safety and security across Southwestern Nigeria.

Condemnation of a criminal act

“We condemn in totality any act of banditry, kidnapping, farmland destruction, and any form of farmer-herder conflict that could be linked to the Fulani community, as we charged security agencies, specifically the Office of the National Security Adviser, to be deeply committed to fishing out the criminal element and their conspirator within the host communities while we charge media houses to report responsibly to mitigate ethnic profiling.

Ban on night grazing, under-age grazing, and carrying of firearms

“The council unanimously, with strong terms, affirms an absolute ban on night grazing, underage grazing, and herders carrying firearms and other related dangerous weapons that are not relevant to the profession. This indeed will contribute to effective sanity and peace in the sector.

“We are resolute in a total state-to-state ban on excessive influx of unregulated herders with their highly voluminous cattle, which has recently become a major cause of farmers/herders’ conflict across Southwest Nigeria. Considering the current security realities of the country, it becomes pertinent to discourage herder migration from one state to another and encourage modern grazing patterns at any of our respective locations that could be sustainable.

Ratification of the appointment of Sarkis We also affirm a standing rule for the ratification by this council of any newly proposed Sarki Fulani or representative to ensure they are well scrutinized and approved by the council, thereby avoiding the appointment of individuals with questionable character as our Sarki or representatives in our several communities across Southwest Nigeria.

Southwest sensitization tour on peace and livestock development

“We have agreed to launch a comprehensive sensitization and engagement tour to educate our people on adopting global best practices in livestock production and strict adherence to the law of the land, promoting peaceful coexistence, given the current security realities of the country. Inclusion of Kwara State for Joint Solution Kwara state should be included under this council for a joint security solution, as any insecurity tendency in Kwara tends to spread into the southwest due to the close border posts through Ekiti state, Oyo state, and the Benin Republic, respectively.

Nomadic education

“Revival of Nomadic education centers across Fulani settlements in the Southwest, Nigeria

“It has been established that illiteracy is one of the major causes of insecurity in Northern Nigeria and settlements of Fulani across the Southwest. The significant decline in the establishment of nomadic schools at Fulani settlements remains a threat to the future of our youth.

Data collection 

“The data collection will be named ‘Cattle Farmers Data Collection across Southwest, which will be launched for proper documentation and developmental planning purposes.

Ban on Fulani violent festivals and carnivals 

“We unanimously, with strong terms, ban the violent festival/carnival of the Fulani community across the Southwest that often leads to loss of lives and severe injuries.

“These are mere cultures that do not really align with the current security ties of the country. “