• As Senate stops re-introduction of new grazing routes
Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC-Yobe North), yesterday, clashed with his counterparts, Titus Tartenger Zam (APC-Benue North West) and Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra Central), over the protracted farmers-herders crises in the country.
Lawan, who was the President of the Ninth Senate, made a case for herders, saying government had not been fair to them and had not protected their livestock worth billions of naira; hence they face rustling and other attacks as they go about their businesses across the country. Zam and Umeh, however, maintained that a ban on open grazing was long overdue, calling for ranching to be made mandatory.
This came as the Senate opposed moves to re-introduce grazing routes as a solution to the problem. The red chamber adopted the position in response to an amendment to prayers in a motion of urgent national importance raised by the senator representing Kogi East, Isah Jibrin.
Rather, the chamber unanimously passed a resolution to set up an ad hoc committee that would convoke a national summit to find a lasting solution to the crises.
Jibrin informed his colleagues that Omala Local Council had been under recurring attacks by gunmen, leading to killings and destruction of properties and farmlands.
The Senate observed a minute’s silence for the departed souls in Omala. It also urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist the affected communities with relief materials.
Umeh said: “We saw a lot of these in Nasarawa and Taraba. The headers are still ravaging. They are now in Kogi. So, I think that action should be taken to ban this type of migrant grazing across Nigeria. We must have to do things the way they are done in civilised nations.”
Lawan, on his part, said: “We should say it as it is because we are looking for a solution. Things I may say may not be pleasant. I am convinced that they will help us get a lasting and enduring solution. We must continue to protect the lives and property of our citizens.
You have people who don’t have any means of livelihood except rearing animals. Many of them lose their cattle to rustling.
“And of course, we know that they don’t know any other thing. The livestock industry is worth N30 trillion. So, this is a very important industry. And we cannot neglect it. While we deal with those who kill our people, we must be looking at the possibility; the necessity and imperative of making government resuscitate the lives and livelihood of those who are willing to remain within the boundaries of the rule.”
Zam said: “All over the world, what guides human behaviour is enabling laws. The law can determine whether our behaviour is right or wrong. The Senate is the highest law-making institution in this country. The issue of farmers-herders crises has defied all security efforts. The only option that is yet to be explored is having a law prohibiting open grazing in the country. Once you have that law in place, those who engage in animal husbandry will know that it is unlawful to move animals from Zamfara to Makurdi.”
