16th March, 2012
One thousand and fourteen herdsmen were killed in various Farmers/Fulani clashes within 10 months, National Chairman, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Bello Bodejo has said.
Bodejo, who said this while fielding questions from newsmen in Katsina Wednesday, said the casualties were recorded in different parts of the country during the period under review, reports the Daily Trust.
According to him, the situation was unfortunate because Fulanis and farmers are expected to work together.
“They are both needed to build Nigeria. Fulanis and farmers are birds of the same feather. The herdsmen will not stop rearing animals, neither will farmers abandon their occupation, hence the need for the duo to live in peace with one another,” he said.
He identified encroachment on grazing lands and cattle routes as bane of clashes between the two groups and called on federal and state governments to set up committees that would demarcate grazing lands and cattle routes in each state.
Bodejo also suggested that a law be enacted to forestall encroachment of such areas and warned herdsmen to be law abiding and always forward their grievances to the appropriate authorities.
He further called on the nomads to enrol their children in the Universal Basic Education programme, saying “no society will progress without education.’’