House Urges FG To Establish Grazing Routes For Herdsmen

Source: thewillnigeria.com

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, January 22, (THEWILL) -  Following the upsurge in the crisis between nomadic Fulani and farmers in some states, the House of Representatives Wednesday urged the Federal Government to establish grazing routes for cattle rearers in all the six-geo-political zones of the country.

The House took the decision after endorsing a motion sponsored by Hon.

Sunday Karim (PDP, Kogi) on the "urgent need for the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to intervene in the incessant conflicts between herdsmen and local farmers in various parts of Nigeria.

" While leading debate on the motion, Karim noted with sadness "the continued attacks on communities across the country by herdsmen and the counter attacks that often resulted therefrom which are almost a daily occurrence.

" The lawmaker lamented that "one in the series of such conflicts occurred on January 3 during which the Emir of Jere in Kaduna State, Dr.

Usman Sa'had, who is also the husband of Senator Nenadi Usman almost lost his life and now lies critically ill in a hospital after he was brutalised while trying to mediate between the warring parties.

" Reeling out statistics, he revealed that in the last 30 days, over 100 lives were lost on the account of the attacks.

"On January 3, 2014, more than 30 people were killed and many more injured in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau  State.

On January 8, 2014, a similar crisis broke out in Ketu community of Yewa Local Government Area of Ogun State which led to loss of lives.

Worried that on January 13, 2014, herdsmen riding on about 100 horses raided the border towns and villages in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State killing two soldiers and 18 farmers, the conflict which lasted for about three days left over 3,000 people internally displaced," he stated.

He also alluded to some newspapers reports of similar killings and urged the House to "condemn unequivocally these killings by herdsmen and local farmers.

" Supporting the motion, Hon.
Toby Okechuwu (Enugu), Hon.
Bello Kaoje, Hon.
Betty Apiafi (Rivers), Hon.
Friday Itula, and Hon.
Fort Dike, amongst others, lamented the loss of lives and destruction of properties which have always followed the conflict and urged the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the problem.

In approving the resolution, the House said it would curtail the incessant conflicts between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers across the country.

By Saint Mugaga, Abuja