The national leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has announced the introduction of a security outfit in the country.
It said this is to assist security agencies in curbing crime, including cattle rustling, kidnapping and rural banditry.
The pan-Fulani group disclosed this in a communiqué issued at the end of its yearly general meeting and Delegates’ Conference in Nasarawa State.
Miyetti Allah also appealed to the Inspector General Police (IGP) to take proactive measures to protect Fulani pastoralists across the country from tribal hordes, ethnic militias and state-sponsored vigilantes.
In the communiqué, jointly signed by the National President, Abdullahi Badejo, and National Secretary, Saleh Alhassan, the group condemned the policies of some state governors “seeking to criminalise the economic livelihoods of pastoralists through the enactment of obnoxious laws – anti-open grazing law” as the most wicked act any government can do to the economic interest of Fulani. “Pastoralists unanimously condemn and totally reject the repressive and oppressive law and called on the National Assembly to come to their rescue,” it stated.
The group added: “Delegates called for the setting up of a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission to begin the process of total conciliation and national healing process in our rural communities.
“Security agencies should commence the process of detailed documentation of the violence against pastoralists, including the collection of exhibits and all relevant information to isolate the perpetrators of violence and arrest them to ensure justice.
”Delegates condemn all forms of violence, and support the peace-loving people to embrace the spirit of brotherhood and peaceful and harmonious coexistence in our communities.”
They also condemned the profiling of the Fulani race by the media, particularly social media, and urged the press to investigate the veracity of their stories before going to press or risk legal action.
