From: Ruth Yarnap, Bauchi
Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Bauchi state Chapter, has threatened to stop supplying cows to the southern parts of the country if, according to them, the efforts to eject Fulani herdsmen from the south succeeds.
The group also asked Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state to immediately withdraw the statement where he allegedly called the Fulani criminals or they would meet him in court.
The State Chairman, Abubakar Sadiq disclosed these in a press conference at the NUJ Press Center Bauchi saying that people should not brand all Fulani as criminals .
He said “people must be fair to the Fulani, they should not be branded as criminals. Government at all levels should create a conducive atmosphere for the Fulani and others to do their legitimate businesses without molestation and castigation. We are all Nigerians and must be treated equally as such”.
He also advised the Benue state Governor to withdraw the statement he made recently calling Bauchi state Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir a terrorist just for defending the Fulanis who, he said, are carrying out their legitimate business.
Saqid alleged that the persecution being faced now by Fulani herders was started by the Benue state Governor through his law against open grazing in the state, saying that the law has created problems for the herders.
The MACBAN Chairman also alleged that their members have been subjected to various forms of ridicule and rejection in the country and threatened that they will stop their members from selling and supplying their cows to the Southern part of the country if the threat of ejecting the herders from the South comes through.
He said there is no law stopping any Nigerian from moving around the country pursuing a legitimate business provided he or she will not trample on the rights of others, stressing that the herders are doing their legal vocation of breeding and therefore must not be disturbed.
