The Taraba state Government has rejected plans by the Federal Government to establish Cattle colonies across the country as part of efforts toward resolving the perennial violent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers. The Taraba state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Yusufu Akirikwen made the position of the state known on Wednesday in Jalingo, during a chat with newsmen.
He maintained that the state has no land for the establishment of the colonies stressing that a law for the establishment of ranches with effect from January 24 had already been enacted by the state government. He therefore called on the Federal Government to assist the state in the implimentation of the law.
"The truth of the matter is that the idea of cattle colony is still not very clear for most Nigerians. Where would the Federal Government get land for cattle colonies?
Would they sit there in Abuja and acquire land across the states of the federation for cattle colonies? We have enacted a law for ranching here in Taraba, but we are not acquiring land for people, herdsmen and cattle owners are going to buy land and do their ranching business,’’ he said.
The Commissioner also hinted that appropriate mechanism for the enforcement of the law had been put in place across the state and warned herdsmen to desist from taking laws into their hands.
