Security: Miyetti Allah bans herders without family in Southeast from grazing

The Northern Leaders, Livestock and Perishable Goods Market
traders and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria
rose from a meeting on Saturday and resolved to ban herdsmen whose
families are not living in the Southeast, from grazing their cattle
in the zone.

They also announced the shutting down of four livestock and
perishable goods’ markets in Enugu State between Wednesday, August
14 and Thursday, August 15 to enable them embark on the
sensitisation tour of the markets and 14 Fulani settlements in the
state.

The Southeast Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, who
briefed newsmen on the decisions of the Northern leaders after the
meeting, said it was part of their efforts to stem the rate of
crime and criminality among their members.

He said: “Part of the things we are doing to checkmate
insecurity in Enugu and other parts of Southeast is that anybody
who is not living with his family here will no longer be allowed to
graze with their cattle.

“You cannot just come with your cow and graze after you destroy
peoples’ farms or do something wrong, you will run overnight and
leave us with the problem.

“Anybody who wants to live in Enugu State or in the Southeast
should be here with his family so that there is no way you will run
overnight and leave your family.

“This is what is done in other states in the north. If you are
not with your family, there is no how you can come here so that you
will not come and destroy our peace and go.”

He added: “during the sensitisation exercise all livestock and
perishable goods market will be closed down, either in cattle
markets, Fulani settlements, or wherever they exist throughout
Enugu State.”

He said a 14-man committee had been constituted for the
programme for the purpose of identifying all their members and weed
out infiltrators.

They regretted the unfortunate incident that led to the death of
Rev. Fr. Paul Offu of St. James The Greater Parish, Ugbawka in
Nkanu East Local Government Area and condoled with the Catholic
Community, his immediate family and the people of the state.

They offered to join hands with the police, the military and
other security agencies in ensuring maximum security in our
neighborhood.