KACRAN urges speedy implementation of Buhari’s directive on recovery of encroached grazing reserves
The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has appealed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Honourable Abubakar Malami (SAN), to execute President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on the recovery of encroached grazing reserves and cattle routes towards the achievement of peace and development in the country.
A statement signed by the National President of the association, Honourable Khalil Mohd Bello, said over a year since President Buhari gave the directive, no action has been taken by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, to enforce the president’s directive.
The statement reads “KACRAN appeals to Minister of Justice to enforce President Buhari’s directive on the recovery of encroached grazing reserves and cattle routes. Nigerians may recall the widely publicized directive of President Muhammad Buhari to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Hon Abubakar Malami (SAN) to in the interest of peace and unity in the country take all necessary measures to reclaim the entire encroached grazing reserves and cattle routes especially in the northern part.
“For nearly a year after, no action has been taken regarding the President’s directive. We, the members of Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) with all sincerity of purpose wish to passionately appeal to the office of the nation’s Attorney General to as a matter of utmost urgency execute the directive towards the achievement of durable peace and sustainable development”.
The statement further outlined the association’s appeals based on the following genuine reasons.
“For Mr President to be seen true to his words and a genuinely committed leader to bring about peace, national reconstruction and socio-economic advancement.
“The rains are almost here and there would be need to avert further violent conflicts. There is need that all gazetted grazing reserves and cattle routes are liberated from encroachment by sedentary farmers who forcefully convert these cattle routes and grazing reserves into farmlands, causing additional insecurity problem in the country, by bringing direct collision between sedentary farmers and herders.”
“The encroached grazing reserves and routes are legal and constitutionally owned by herders and the President’s directive for their reclaiming, hence, farmers who plant their crops in the area under discussion will induce direct herders and farmers clash. Even now, the Northern part of this country is sadly faced with serious issue of insecurity which is mainly centered around the ongoing mistrust between our beloved farmers and herders.”
“The enforcement of the said historic and very important order will reduce, if not completely end the wanton clashes between cattle readers and farmers that is mainly caused by the farmers blaming herders of destroying their farms, while herders also blame farmers for encraoching into their grazing reserves, or totally blocking their cattle routes illegally and converting them into farms.
“There is no doubt, we of KACRAN strongly believe that, reclaiming our encroached grazing reserves and reviving them through provision of water points and animals pasture will end most of the problem we are facing now. As law abiding Nigerians we respect our constituted authorities and we humbly pledge our commitment in search of solution (s) to peaceful coexistence”.
“We strongly believe that the implementation of the directive will bring about lasting solution to the lingering problem between herders and farmers”.
“Non implementation of this presidential order will set a bad precedence that the President’s directive can be ignored or thrown away. Enforcing the order will stop our herders from migrating unnecessarily to the southern parts of the country and so halt the unnecessary clashes over there”.
“Execution of this order will give due honour to our President and make herders repose confidence in the government by firmly believing that government is capable of solving their problems amicably, hence no need for the rising tension in various communities of our dear country”.
”In view of the several benefits derivable from enforcement of the said presidential special order, we once again appeal to the Hon Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General to kindly ensure the timely implementation of the directive“.
“It is our sincere belief that, if our illegally occupied grazing reserves and blocked cattle routes, which our livestock are using for free movement to their designated grazing reserves and water points, without moving through anybody’s farm are reclaimed and revived, peace and stability will be achieved in the entire country”. The statement added.
