Pastoralists, under the auspices of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria, KACRAN, have raised concern over what they termed an unauthorised destruction of cattle routes in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State.
KACRAN’s national president, Khalil Mohammed Bello, in a statement issued on Thursday on behalf of the pastoralists, made this known, calling for an urgent stoppage of the move.
Bello, who accused the village head of Juma’a, Alhaji Yusufu Baba, of illegally obstructing and parcelling out plots of land, said it is a direct defiance of Governor Buni’s recent executive orders, which directed local government caretaker chairmen to foster peace between farmers and herders as well as safeguard grazing reserves and cattle routes from encroachment.
“We have learned, with dismay, that this vital passage, which has served as an international cattle route for over a century, is being illegally obstructed and parcelled out as plots in direct defiance of His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni’s executive orders,” he said.
He added that the cattle route is not only a historical pathway for herders from Cameroon through Nigeria to Niger but also a critical component in preventing conflicts between farmers and herders.
“The unauthorised allocation of this land jeopardises the livelihoods of thousands of pastoralists and poses a significant threat to the longstanding peace and security of the region,” he stressed.
Khalil appealed to the chairman of the caretaker management committee of Potiskum Local Government Council to intervene in resolving the matter by reinforcing the government’s commitment to fairness, justice, and the prevention of avoidable conflicts.
“We urge you to assist in halting these illegal activities, revoke any illicitly allocated plots, and uphold the directives of His Excellency by protecting this vital cattle route,” he demanded.
