The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, has said that in the light of the unfolding scenario set by the ratification of a regime of laws that potentially seek to limit the free movement of herders in the 17 Southern Nigerian states, the Federal Government should take immediate steps to evacuate all herdsmen currently in the South back home.
In a statement by CNG’s Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the coalition said a study has shown that at present, only ten per cent of the Fulani herdsmen live and conduct business in the entire South.
CNG also told northern governors to commence preparation to receive the returning Fulani communities and their livestock assets by identifying suitable grazing lands for them and making sufficient allowance for farmers at the same time. The Group warned that the nation would be treading dangerous grounds if it continued to tolerate the demonisation of entire groups over particular types of crimes which the Asaba Declaration by the 17 southern governors seeks to do.
