Yoruba Leaders, under the aegis of “Yoruba Summit”, have rejected in totality the planned cattle colony for Fulani herdsmen by the President Muhammadu Buhari led government. The leaders also asked the FG to declare the rampaging herdsmen a terror group just as it declared IPOB.
This is coming after the incessant criminal activities of Fulani herdsmen across Yorubaland in recent days which have witnessed the killing of a pregnant woman in Ekiti, a farmer in Ogun State and the setting ablaze and destruction of the farms of former Secretary to the Federal Government ,Chief Olu Falae; ex naval chief ,Vice-Admiral Samuel Afolayan; former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr. Dele Adigun and Mrs. Roseline Ogege in Abeokuta.
According to a statement signed by its Spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, the current renewed attacks on Youruba property and persons were considered unwarranted, provocative and brutal assault by marauding elements who now carry on as if the laws of the country have been suspended on their behalf by complicit authorities.
The meeting condemned these assaults and called on the Federal Government to be alive to its responsibility by enforcing the laws against these criminal activities and perpetrators of such in order to regain the confidence of the people.
The Yoruba leaders also resolved that no inch of Yorubaland will be available for cow colony stating that Yoruba are in favour only ranching of cattle where those in such business will acquire land according to extant rules and subject their operations to the norms and culture of their host communities.
The elders also called on Yoruba people to begin venturing into modern ranching for home consumption and export while our State Governments should evolve policies in promotion of ranching by Yoruba people .
While asking the Federal Government to declare the killer herdsmen and militias as terrorists, FG was urged to disarm the Fulani herdsmen and militias and probe the source of their arms.
” The FG must stop the mass illegal immigration of armed Fulani and others into Nigeria through the far northern and northwestern borders of Nigeria, open an inquiry into the serial cases of illegal weapons that have been discovered at the Lagos Port in recent time as they pose a serious challenge to our security”.
The meeting presided over by Chief Ayo Adebanjo was attended by Prof Banji Akintoye,Dr Amos Akingba, Dr Kunle Olajide, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele Mr. Goke Omisore, Chief Supo Sonibare, Dr. Femi Adegoke, Hon Oladipo Olaitan, Otunba Deji Osibogun, Mrs. Tokunbo Ekukinam, and Mr. Bolaji Ogunseye among others .
