Kick against proposed cattle colonies
The Catholic Bishops of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province have risen in condemnation of the killings in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states by Fulani herdsmen, with a call on the Federal Government to be proactive in protecting defenceless citizens.
The body also kicked against the proposed cattle colonies for the rampaging herdsmen, saying cattle ranches are preferable to colonies in the interest of fairness and communal harmony.
Speaking through a communique issued after their first meeting in this year, held at the McGovern Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos, the clerics deplored the reckless killings, insisting that the government should rise up to the occasion and bring the murderers to book.
In the communique signed by the Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, President, Lagos Ecclesiastical Province, and the Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo, Secretary, the Catholic bishops said government should also unearth the sponsors of the murderous herdsmen.
“We join the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria to commiserate with the families and relations of fellow Nigerians who lost their lives recently in Benue, Adamawa Taraba states and Southern Kaduna as a result of deadly attacks by Fulani herdsmen.
“We also sympathise with our Christian brothers and sisters in those states who, over time, have been subjected to series of unwarranted attacks, persecution and provocation by herdsmen and other similar arms-wielding groups because of their faith.
“We condemn these senseless and arbitrary killings which in recent times leave one with the impression that there is more to it than the acquisition of land for the purpose of cattle grazing.
“Life is a precious gift to man by the Almighty. Since it is irreplaceable, no one has the arbitrary right to take the life of another. It is for this reason that the government is constitutionally empowered, not only to safe-guard the lives and properties of citizens, but also to deal decisively with murderers and other out-laws in order to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
“We believe that the incessant killings by herdsmen across the country, if not promptly curtailed, have the capability of subjecting the country to further major civil unrests with disastrous consequences on the nation’s unity.
“In view of this, we demand that those who have so far been implicated in the killings and their sponsors must be promptly arrested and made to face the music without fear or favour.
“We also expect that those of them who are still on the run should be smoked out of their holes for the law to take its course. Nothing short of the above steps will help to convince the Nigerian populace of the sincerity of President Muhammadu Buhari to bring an end to the menace,” the clergymen demanded.
They also kicked against government’s decision to establish cattle colonies in the states for the Fulani herdsmen, stressing that cattle rearing is a private business but instead urged that the cattle rearers should be made to set up cattle ranches.
“We reject the proposed move by the Federal Government to establish cattle colonies across the various states of the federation, as a way of finding a lasting solution to the herdsmen/farmers clashes.
“Such a move is not only capable of further exacerbating an already tensed atmosphere, but also leave one with the impression that the much-touted Islamisation agenda of Nigeria is an ongoing project that may have tacitly received the approval of Mr. President.
“All over the world, cattle grazing have long become obsolete. Ranches are the in-thing. One wonders why the rearing of cattle, like all other forms of personal businesses, should not be subjected to the same laws and regulations applicable to all corporate entities in the country!
“We call on the Federal Government to help bring about a permanent solution to the frequent Herdsmen/Farmers clashes by ensuring that the cattle owners establish ranches for their cattle without endangering the life and livelihood of others.
“Loan facilities as well as other relevant incentives should be extended to them in recognition of their contribution and relevance to the
nation’s economy,” the bishops counselled.
