FULANI HERDSMEN ATTACK AGAIN

The guerrilla warfare embarked upon by the Fulanis on the Jos Plateau continues unabated. While the security agents stationed here were beefing up security on Monday, 21 February 2011 following rumours of planned planned attacks, a bunch of murderous Fulani herdsmen were headed for Bere village in Fan District of Barkin Ladi LGA. By 1:00 am, Tuesday, 22 February, 20011 when the Fulanis were on their escape route, there were 18 corpses strewn around the village, mainly of women and children, but including that of their leader.

As usual, by the time the peace keeping soldiers arrived on the scene of the incident, they were late by hours and so no arrests could be effected. The natives who attempted to give chase to their assailants were stopped by the Federal troops. One of the survivors said he recognized one of their attackers as Dangana who lived with his cattle around the village. Guns and machetes were freely used and arson perpetrated in the attack.

Shockingly, it has been reported that the Commander of the Special Task Force stationed in Jos said he refused to send his men there in time because Plateau people have consistently demanded for the withdrawal of the soldiers.

A pattern has, however, emerged in these unprovoked attacks. In 90% of these incidences, cattle are rustled. It is obvious to me that the Fulanis are making a statement to all who care to listen, that, "All non-Fulanis who have gone into the business of raring cattle should stop it." Majority of their victims have been cattle and ranch owners irrespective of tribe. They and their wives and children have been mercilessly killed and their cattle taken away.

For how long do the bush nomadic Fulani herdsmen of Nigeria think that the world will wait for them to breed their lean cattle on the sparse Savannah grasses? Populations are exploding and demands for beef are ever increasing. Moreover, health considerations are turning people more and more to the professionals and ranch breeders who are all-comers from all parts of Nigeria. May be our Fulanis need assistance so they can improve their animal husbandry methods and retain their inherited means of livelihood. Educated Fulanis like Dr. Aliyu Tilde should be able to prepare necessary blueprints which will enable government o formulate policy in this direction just like the much-touted Almajiri Education in Jigawa State. I will therefore mail a copy of this post to him in the honest belief that, as an intellectual, he will take up this suggestion, investigate into the reasons for Fulani attacks on non-Fulani cattle rarers and proffer lasting solutions to whatever their problem is.

James Pam

jamespam2004@yahoo.com

http://josplateauaffairs.blospot.com