Ranching is only solution to herdsmen-farmers clashes - NASEMA boss
- The NASEMA boss, Zachary Zamani Allumaga, has described ranching as the only solution to herdsmen-farmers clashes in Nigeria
- Federal government had recently proposed the establishment of cattle colonies across Nigeria to end the clashes between herdsmen-farmers
- But many states rose against the proposed cattle colonies
The executive secretary of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), Zachary Zamani Allumaga, has said that ranching would end incessant herdsmen-farmers clashes in Nigeria.
Tribune reports that he said if the federal government wants a lasting solution to the issue, it should adopt ranching.
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Legit.ng gathered that many Nigerians argued that it is going to be difficult to have the ranches.
He said: “I have read a lot of comments on this, both in the traditional and the social media. I want to state that I saw a ranch for the first time when I went to Kuru, there is a ranch in Vom. I think it belongs to the National Vetinary Research.
“That one is a large ranch. It certainly belongs to government. Also, there is a ranch in Kaduna but it is owned by an individual. I think if I am to recommend and for herdsmen to save their cows, I think they too must be thinking about ranching.
“If the federal government wants solution to the issue, it should adopt ranching. But, the argument generally is that it is going to be difficult to have the ranches. But, I can assure you that if we are determined, we will get there.
“It was difficult for us to have democracy but because we were determined, the military was sent to the barracks. So, we can also achieve this. If you want to mine in a particular area, you apply, government will approve then you will go and start mining.
“I think that should be applicable to this ranching issue. If you want to ranch you can go do it. And I have not seen where in this country that it is difficult to acquire land in this country.
“The land use act permits that. So, nobody should be scared because farmers and herdsmen need each other. My people live with the herdsmen because the cattle produce dungs for manure. So, the dungs substitute fertilizer.
“Also, I want to say that I heard the national security adviser saying that there are weapons in the hands of some individuals. With great respect, I think the federal government can withdraw those weapons.
"When Governor Ortom offered amnesty in Benue, weapons were mopped up. Probably if those weapons were not withdrawn, there might have been a counter attack by the Tiv.
“Since the Benue government withdraws weapons from its militias, the federal government should also try and withdraw weapons from the assailants. We don’t know who they are.
“We saw weapons withdrawn in Rivers by Governor Wike, we saw weapons withdrawn in Kaduna. But most importantly, if custom showed us weapons they claimed to have intercepted at the border and we have not seen anyone prosecuted, then something wrong is going on.
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"They must be sincere. How can they show us intercepted weapons several times and they cannot trace those connected to such weapons?
"And there is no prosecution. So, if they are unable to trace them, the question will be, what is the guarantee that those weapons have not found their way back into the hands of some unauthorised persons.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state rejected the federal government’s proposal for states to establish cattle colonies as, according to him, it contradicts the principle of ‘federal character’ and reminds people of the colonial era in the country.
Nigerian herdsmen vs Nigerian farmers - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
