Under the auspices of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Fulani cattle farmers in Anambra state have expressed outrage at the way locals are treating them.
The Southeast State, according to MACBAN, refuses to let its members stay, which interferes with their normal activities.
Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, the head of MACBAN in Southeast, is said to have revealed this to reporters over the weekend after attending Governor Charles Soludo’s one-year celebration in office.
In support of the group’s statement while addressing dignitaries at the event held in Awka, the state capital, Siddiki cited Anaku, Umueje, Omor, Igbakwu, Omasi, Umumbo, Umuerum and Ifite-Ogwari , all of which belong to the Ayamelum Local Government Regional Council in Status. such as places where MACBAN members have been denied accommodation.
He called on Governor Soludo’s government to intervene urgently for peace and unity. Siddiki said the group’s members have a cordial relationship with the natives despite “several instances of misunderstanding”.
Siddiki said:-
“Our interest in the areas was purely economic. No herder was interested in contesting the ownership of land with members of their host communities across the state.
“We commended the Police and DSS for their prompt responses whenever there is a conflict between our members and our host communities in the state.”
The MACBAN leader, however, said much still needed to be done to ensure that law-abiding citizens, including herders, were free to carry out their businesses without hindrances in the state.
According to him, as cattle breeders they are asking for a secure environment to do their grazing business.
“We are ready to support our host communities in any capacity they want us to, in order to make life meaningful for everyone and to sustain the already peaceful co-existence in the areas,” Siddiki added.
