Nobody should restrict herdsmen movement – Ex-MACBAN chairman, Oroji warns

Mohammad Oroji, former FCT Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), says Nigerians should stop politicising farmers/herdsmen clashes and allow government to address the issue properly.

He also warned that movement of herdsmen should not be restricted because the Nigerian constitution did not restrain anyone from going about freely.

Oroji told newsmen on Sunday in Kaduna that “the issue of herdsmen and farmers has now turned into politics because some evil people are benefiting from it for their selfish interests.”

He said it was selfish for anybody to deny the herdsmen the right to freedom of movement as guaranteed by the Constitution, just as it was evil and acceptable for anyone to kill.

“The crisis of herdsmen and farmers is not true but politics, both have related peacefully for over 500 years in Nigeria together.

“The government should take firm decision in addressing the problem; people should stop taking laws into their hands.

“Anyone that starts any form of killings, the law should take its course no matter how highly placed or from whichever tribe.

“No one has the right to kill any person, just as nobody has the right to say stop rearing animals and stop farming, because we are all Nigerians.

“Nigeria is a country of all Nigerians, so no one should be molested; rearing of livestock and farming are all business,’’ he said.

Oroji urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to take firm decision in addressing the crisis.

“I call on the Federal Government and National Assembly to take a firm decision to address the issue for peace and progress of Nigeria.

“If those who are involved in these atrocities are prosecuted, all the nonsense would stop. It is the only way to address the problem,” he added.