*says grazing reserves were encroached on by local farmers
Barely two weeks after after Fulanis and Southern Kaduna people brokered a peace deal to ceasefire in a crisis that has claimed so many live in Godogodo and it’s envrons, in Jema’a and Sanga Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Fulani group says the renewed crisis was heated up by lopsided security operatives in the area.
The group, a coalition of Jama’a Foundation, Miyetti Allah and Mobgal Fulbe Development Association in a joint press conference, also said comments from, Southern Kaduna Elders and elected representatives from the areas and Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) were part of what is fueling the current spate of attacks on Fulani herdsmen and Hausas in the area.
“The remote causes of the crisis are: willful encroachment of constituted/gazetted grazing reserves and cattle routes by farmers and illegal conversion of same to farmlands, residential and other purposes.
“Lopsidedness and partisanship of the security operatives who are predominantly tribes of the area and share the same faith, press conferences held by elected representatives from southern Kaduna, Southern Kaduna Elders Consultative Forum and SOKAPU, calling on the Constituents to resist any attempt by the Federal/State governments to resuscitate the existing cattle routes/grazing reserves or creating additional ones in the area.
“Mishandling the case of a Fulani man that was killed at the palace of Chief of Numana at Gwantu, Sanga Local Government by the tradition institution, Local Council and the then Kaduna State government. And refusal to implement various white papers on judicial inquiry. They added.
The leader of the group, Abdullahi Mohammed of Jama’a Foundation, stressed that there was need to come out with their position as the reports on the media over the issue has been one sided.
He added, “Nigerians need to be informed that the recent and ongoing clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and tribal farmers in Godogodo Chiefdom of Jama’a Local Government, Kaduna State have received wide spread publicity in both electronics and prints media and, the episode was specifically tabled at the National Assembly by the elected representatives from Southern Kaduna.
“Unfortunately what was published and discussed was one sided story resulting in the virtual condemnation of the Fulani herdsmen without given them a fair hearing. No one bothers to listen to the plight of the Fulani herdsmen.
He however, called on the state government to setup a Truth and Reconciliation Commission as an instrument for peace building, peaceful coexistence, shared prosperity and stability in the area in particular and the state at large.
AUTHENTIC NEWS DAILY 