A herds boy fully armed

The National chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association  said it is alien for herdsmen to carry weapons such as guns and called for their prosecution.

Alhaji Kiruwa Zuru said this today in Birni-Kebbi in an interview with journalists.

He said the recent Presidential directive for security agencies to deal with perpetrators of the violence was a positive development and laudable.

Zuru asserted that it was alien for the Fulani herdsmen to be carrying weapons in the country and called for the prosecution of those carrying arms.

He emphasised that herdsmen would continue to support progress and development of the nation, especially in the areas of fighting corruption, insurgency and cattle rustling.

He also said that the association was concerned about violent clashes between farmers and the unidentified arms carrying herdsmen.

“The association has resolved to support any move that would bring permanent solution to the violence between communities and herdsmen,’’ Zuru said.

He also lamented that the perpetrators of the violent crisis in Enugu and Agatu area of Benue were yet to be identified and cautioned on the pointing of accusations at Fulani herdsmen.

“We take exception to this; we need to unequivocally establish that Fulani herdsmen are the perpetrators.

“If it is established, then, they should be prosecuted accordingly,’’ he said.

Zuru said that the association, during recent meetings with the Service Chiefs, called for proper investigation and intelligence gathering to identify culprits to avoid clamping down on innocent herdsmen.