Northern elders worry over alleged harassment of Fulani herdsmen

• Say Livestock Industry Under Threat

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), yesterday, enjoined the authorities to put in place, measure aimed at halting alleged harassment of Fulani herdsmen in parts of the country.

NEF’s Deputy Convener, Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, in a statement made available to The Guardian, warned that the continuous harassment of Fulani herdsmen is capable of destroying the livestock industry in Nigeria.

NEF, particularly, urged the federal and state governments to adopt policies and positions to strengthen relationship between Fulani herdsmen and various host communities in the country.

It applauded the resolve by the Northern Governors Forum (NGF), led by Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong to wade into the controversy generated by the Ruga settlement policy by reaching out to stakeholders in the polity to calm frayed nerves.

NEF also urged its affiliate body, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), to exercises restraint and takes no further
actions, in view of the potentially productive involvement of northern governors and other respected Nigerians.

The statement added: “Most Nigerians recognise the genuine grounds for raising serious grievances in the light of provocations and apparent lack of sensitivity to a matter that affects the north and indeed the rest of Nigeria in a most critical manner. The nation should remain sensitive to its rising deficits in security of lives and economic assets and must do everything possible not to escalate tensions and distrust among Nigerians.”