The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) says the Federal Government should tackle the nation’s porous borders through which illicit trade in firearms thrive and check the influx of herdsmen from neighbouring countries to stem the frightening insecurity in the country.
It said the massive influx of herdsmen into the country would be checked if the Federal Government effectively implements the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Transhumance Certificate Protocol.
MACBAN stated its position in a statement on Thursday in Abuja and jointly signed by Alhaji Muhammed Kiruwa and Alhaji Baba Ngelzarma, president and national secretary, respectively.
It said the measures were part of resolutions reached at the end of a one-day National Executive meeting of the association held in Abuja with its chairman, Board of Trustees and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III.
MACBAN said the meeting was convened to review the deteriorating security situation in the country as it affected its members and the continued stereotyping of all herdsmen as criminals in the media
It further urged the Federal Government to undertake sensitization and re-orientation programmes for herders and revamp nomadic education for their children.
” The meeting also calls on the Federal Government to introduce social support programmes as is done to other sectors of the economy such as farming, mining and the petroleum sector. This will alleviate the huge losses of livestock, taking into consideration the over five million cattle that have been lost as a result of banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and climate change.
The meeting expressed its outrage at how 1,730 cows were allegedly rustled in Kafin Koro, in Mariga Local Government in Niger State, on February 2, which rendered several families destitute, without any means of livelihood.
The meeting once again calls on the Corporate Affairs Commission to distinguish its name (Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria) with that of a newly registered organization bearing the same Miyetti Allah, so as not to confuse the public.
The meeting also appeals to the Federal Government to take immediate action against local criminal gangs known as “Yansakai” in Kebbi and Niger States, who are involved in wanton killings of 153 innocent pastoralists.”
MACBAN pledged its cooperation and support to the federal and state governments, traditional rulers and security agencies in the fight against banditry and kidnapping across the country towards enthroning peace, stability and harmonious co-existence.
