The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Igbos for Progressive and United Nationhood (IPAN) have reached an agreement to address persistent clashes between farmers and cattle herders in various parts of Nigeria.
Deputy national director of MACBAN, Gidado Siddiki, disclosed this at a meeting led by the President of IPAN, Rapuluchukwu Onuzulike to his office in Awka.
He appreciated the concern of IPAN in addressing the face-off between farmers and herders. He also lamented the destruction of crops and attendant reprisal cattle rustlings.
Siddiki expressed worries about the indifferent attitude of some herders and pledged decisive actions to address the issue with the established collaboration with IPAN to find lasting solutions to the challenges.
He appealed to the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to revive the Cattle Menace Committee set up by the immediate past administration as a template for compensation to parties in the crisis.
Siddiki said although the government has not re-constituted the committee, the prompt intervention of the Chairman of Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG), Air Vice Marshal Chiobi, the police, State Security Service (SSS) and other sister security agencies as well as traditional rulers has fostered peaceful co-existence among the host communities and residents.
He attributed reduction in killing and kidnapping across the states especially in the South-East zone to the fact that people are less suspicious of the Fulani ethnic group as a threat but more of partners in nation-building and development.
However, Siddiki lamented non-payment of compensation for assaults on members of the group at Ebenebe and Ukwulu, both in Awka North and Dunukofia local council of Anambra state.
Also speaking, Onuzulike, noted the impact of the crisis on crops yearly yields adding that there was the need to address common internal issues like the persistent farmer-herder clashes.
