The herders under the umbrella of the Coalition of Pastoralists Association of Nigeria said Buhari never had an engagement with herders since he took the oath of office.
The Vice President, Tabital Pulaaku International, Nigeria Chapter, Auwal Gonga stated this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
Gonga was flanked by the National President, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Baba Ngelzarma, and President General, Fulbe Global Development and Right Initiatives, Salim Umar.
He said, “He never engaged stakeholders. Even if he thinks he can’t engage us, we have members who are former ministers, and former governors among us. One of them is Isa Yuguda, why can’t Buhari call him and engage him? It is wrong for the government to have done so and that is why they have failed.” he said.
Gonga called on the incoming administration to do better in uniting herders and farmers in the country.
“We are calling on the new government to change policy and strategy. It should create a ministry of livestock. Tanzania, and Cameron among others have it. We believe this coming administration will do well to unite both the farmers and the herders. Unfortunately, our brother Buhari failed.”
Umar, however, denied that the herdsmen were responsible for the killings in Plateau, Oyo, Gombe, and Benue, among others, adding that their members were also victims in the crisis.
He called on the security agencies to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the heinous crime.
Umar said, “We call on the state governments to note that activities of the vigilante in the past had only resulted in more heightened reprisals from bandits who have been unleashing terror in the surrounding areas.
“The security agencies in charge of these areas should do more to protect the innocent people who are continuously harassed by bandits. We believe the security agencies have the wherewithal to put a stop to this dastardly act of cowardice against unarmed civilians.”
