The leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in the South East, Alhaji Gidado Saddikie has accused Nigerians of politicizing the violent clashes between farmers and herdsmen, resulting in avoidable lost of lives and properties across the country. Saddiki who was reacting to the various statements made by some individuals after the recent killing in Benue state called on the government to approach the matter with all sense of sincerity devoid of sentiment, politics and religion.
He blamed the frequent violent clashes on lack of sensitization by the government and wrong government approaches to the resolution of crisis.
“People play politics with this issue. Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is a Fulani, but he is not a member of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association. He has not attended our meeting before; so how can he be a financier of the association? Let me tell you, it’s wrong government approach and negligence that are causing these conflicts. How can somebody say Atiku is our financier?
Most state governments think that herdsmen and farmers are commoners that should not be heard. You must hear them because they are human beings who are contributing to the economic growth of our country, at their own level. We have this understanding and synergy in the south East on how to handle this issue because the governors here and other leaders are proactive.
We have agreed that any herdsman that destroys the crops of farmers should pay for such damage, and if any farmer kills any herdsman’s cow, he pays for such cow. We understand ourselves here in the southeast, but some other places, it’s not so.
We have told our people that they should not consider their cows more than any human life. If they kill your cow, report to us. We’ll know how to handle it amicably. Don’t take the laws into your hands.”