Yoruba Leaders Reject Nigerian Govt Planned Cattle Colonies

As the leadership and the citizenry continue to search for a lasting solution to the carnage that characterises the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria, Yoruba leaders, under the auspices of Yoruba Summit, have rejected proposal for the establishment of cow colonies across Nigeria.

The position was taken against the background of recent criminal activities of herdsmen across Yoruba land, particularly the killings of a pregnant woman in Ekiti State, a farmer in Ogun State and the setting ablaze and destruction of the farms of former Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG), Chief Olu Falae; ex Naval Chief, Vice-Admiral Samuel Afolayan; former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr. Dele Adigun, and Mrs. Roseline Ogege in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Rising from an extra-ordinary session held in Lagos on Thursday to address the matter, the body in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odunakin, condemned the renewed hostilities in Yoruba land, challenging the federal government to stop the attacks as he vowed that no part of the Southwest would be set aside as cattle colonies.

According to Odumakin, "We took strong objections to the obnoxious and vexatious proposal by the federal government to establish cow colonies across Nigeria in aid of private business and in violation of the sensibilities of different nationalities whose lands would be partitioned for Fulani herdsmen reminiscent of the Berlin Conference where Africa was portioned for different colonial powers as a colony presupposing a settlement of invading power in a given community where alien laws and values prevail.

"The meeting resolved that no inch of Yoruba land will be available for cow colony as Yoruba are in favour of  only ranching of cattle where those in such business will acquire land according to extant rules and subject their operations to the norms and culture of their host communities.

"It is against this background that we called on Yoruba people to begin venturing into modern ranching for home consumption and export while our state governments should evolve policies in promotion of ranching by Yoruba people.

The leaders were disturbed by the recent hostilities, which they described as unprovoked, provocative and unwarranted.

"These renewed attacks on Yoruba property and persons were considered unwarranted, provocative and brutal assault by marauding elements who now carry on as if the laws of the country have been suspended on their behalf by complicit authorities.

"We condemn these assaults and call on the federal government to be alive to its responsibility by enforcing the laws against these criminal activities and perpetrators of such in order to regain the confidence of the people."

The leaders suggested that the federal government should take some more proactive measures to end the menacing activities of the killer herders.

Accordingly, they said: "Government should do the following to end the menace of the armed herdsmen currently threatening peace, order and productivity in the county: ‘declare the killer herdsmen and militias as terrorists, disarm the herdsmen and militias and probe the source of their arms’.

"Government should also stop the mass illegal immigration of armed Fulani and others into Nigeria through the far northern and northwestern borders of Nigeria. An inquiry into the serial cases of illegal weapons that have been discovered at the Lagos port in recent time as they pose serious challenge to our security."

The meeting presided over by Chief Ayo Adebanjo was attended by Prof Banji Akintoye, Dr. Amos Akingba, Dr. Kunle Olajide, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, Mr. Goke Omisore, Chief Supo Sonibare, Dr. Femi Adegoke, Hon Oladipo Olaitan, Otunba Deji Osibogun, Mrs. Tokunbo Ekukinam, Mr. Bolaji Ogunseye and several others.