The people of Kogi east senatorial district have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, rejecting the proposal in the entire Igala land.
Kogi east consists of nine local government areas including Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela/Odolu, Ofu, Olamaboro and Omala.
According to the petition signed by the President of the Igala Project, Mr Atayi Babs, and the Secretary-General, Mallam Musa Haruna, the people said they were against the idea as no land in their territories was available for cattle colony.
The people said their opposition to the idea was predicated on the fact that such a move would lead to the breakdown of law and order with killings and wanton destruction of property, saying “as our people, who are largely farmers, are not prepared to host Fulani herdsmen or cattle colony masters in our land.”
The petition reads,”Our position is further reinforced by the multiple acts of war and mayhem being unleashed daily, on our innocent farmers and hapless law-abiding citizens, in their villages, homes and farmlands, by rampaging Fulani herdsmen.
“Mr President, between June 2015 and December 2017, Igala land has witnessed several incidences of killings as a result of herdsmen violence in several areas including Ebeje where 8 people were killed and farms set ablaze, Agbada/Agojeju where 19 people were slaughtered, Edede – 2 persons were killed, 6 people killed in Oganenigu, 3 people killed in Ojapata, 5 people killed in Ojuwo Anawo. All these happened in Dekina Local Government Area.
“The story is not different in Ofu local government area at Ojuwo Omachi and Akpagidigbo where the incessant attacks of herdsmen have claimed the lives of over 20 persons.
“In Abejukolo and Bagana in Omala Local Government Area, the reign of terror resonates loudly, so much that our people no longer move freely, to and from their farmlands, because of the fear of killings, maiming and rape, with some villages like Ebakume wholly sacked an entire farm produce granaries/silos completely burnt.
“Despite the brazen nature of the aforementioned acts of criminality by these would-be occupants of the so-called cattle colony, none of them has been arrested or made to account for these crimes, as these heavily armed cattle herders terrorise our land, flaunting their prowess in the handling of AK 47 rifles and double barrel guns.
“Dear Mr President, our opposition to this move and the hasty approval given by the Kogi State Governor is further reinforced by the inescapable fact that under your Presidency, murderous Fulani herdsmen have enjoyed subtle protection and favouritism to the extent that these herdsmen, who now treat Nigeria as a conquered territory, will eventually go beyond the purview of the so-called colony to destroy farmlands, maim and kill under the slightest provocation.
“In view of the above and many more, we the undersigned concerned people of Kogi-East, Kogi State, North-Central, Nigeria state as follows:
“We do not want cattle colony or grazing reserve in our land, we reject any attempt to convert or transfer the ownership of ancestral lands in Igala land to cattle colony master or owners who operate by killing people, destroying communities wholesale, and destroying farmlands while enjoying government protection from counter-attack, arrest or prosecution. We reject attempts to turn Igala land into the next killing field of marauding Fulani herdsmen.”
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