Miyetti Allah threatens to sue Katsina, other states for alleged theft of ranch fund

NARTO seeks compensation for torched truck, cows in Anambra

Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani socio-cultural association, has threatened to sue about 10 northern states for allegedly diverting billions of naira meant for the establishment of cattle ranches in their domains.

The Secretary General, Alh. Saleh Alhassan, at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, identified Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger states as some of the recipients of the monies ranging from N5 billion to N10 billion from the Federal Government. He expressed disappointment that government officials were still accumalationg filthy lucre to the detriment of his members.

The Miyetti Allah scribe acknowledged that the establishment of cattle ranches in the designated states would go a long way in curtailing the recurring farmers/herders’ clashes and cattle rustling in the country.

Said he: “Nasarawa, Katsina, Plateau and Kaduna states have collected money for ranching. States like Niger are also in line to collect.

“We are yet to see the ranches because we don’t want the state governors to use the misery of the pastoralists to continue to divert these funds. We need to address this issue of farmer/herder conflict, through sustainable land use management, which is through ranching.” He decried the alleged killing of hundreds of cattle and herders by militants.

MEANWHILE, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Yobe State chapter, has demanded full compensation of torched truck and cows in Anambra State.

The truck, with number plate, TO 168 Yobe State, was reportedly transporting cattle to the South, on Sunday night, when gunmen set it ablaze.

Chairman of Yobe NARTO, Manga Mohammed, stated in Potiskum, yesterday, that his members were performing their legitimate business of transporting cows to the southern part of the country, wondering why they should be attacked.

According to him, the truck carrying the cows was set ablaze by gunmen in Anambra at 8.30p.m. “Nigerian is our country, where we should live in peace without any attack and harassment on highways,” he added. He, therefore, called on the Anambra State Government to compensate Lawan Tukur, the owner of the torched truck and over 30 cows.

The Guardian also learnt, yesterday, that the cabin of the truck was destroyed, while the cows were in the custody of the police in Anambra.