July 12th, 2012
NewsRescue– According to investigative reports, two Fulani herdsmen and two cows were killed today in Ishi Ozalla community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. This coming up as a repulsion to Fulani nomadic activity is being stoked among other ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Reports indicate that the Fulani cattle had possibly strayed into farms in the Ozalla area, a common occurrence, and this led to Ozala youth mob, gathering to accost the Fulani herdsmen. In the subsequent attack, two Fulani herdsmen and some cattle were killed.
A more serious crises was averted by the quick action of State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who quickly deployed security operatives to the area to curb the violence. Both parties were then summoned and a peace truce was agreed upon.
There is increasing hostility against the Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria, whose nomadic lifestyle is being threatened by an anti-Northern sentiment fostering prominently among elements set-out and hopeful of a disintegration in Nigeria.
The Jos, Berom-Fulani years long crises has become a convenient culprit in national anger at the activities of Boko Haram terrorist group, responsible for several episodes of deadly bombings; with Fulanis being increasingly associated and despised for the activities of this miscreant group.
Related: NewsRescue–The Nomads Are No Longer Welcome: Nigeria’s New Agro-Economic Crises In Face Of Famine
The Nigerian media has been accused of only reporting attacks by the Fulani and not attacks against them, and for manipulating news stories. In this episode, for instance, ‘The Nation Online‘, reported this Enugu youth attack and murder of Fulani cattle rearers who may have strayed into their farms, as rather a Fulani attack on Enugu youth, with a spurious claim of ‘rape’. This to skew public opinion and provoke anti-Muslim North reactions.
Our article on July 16th details the increased threat against Nigeria’s nomads, and ultimately against Nigeria’s Agro-economic industry, which is ever so serious for the nation in the face of the current global and Sahel famine.
Nigeria is one of the four leading livestock producers in Sub-Sahara.
Twenty four years ago the country had over 12,200,000 cattle, 1,220,000 milking cows, 13,200,000 sheep, 26,000,000 goats, and 18,000 camels. The number of cattle has however been steadily declining due to many factors, including the ethnic clashes, with murder of breeders and the killing or stealing of their cattle, climate challenges, an exodus of Cattle rearers from Nigeria and other factors.
The federal government of Nigeria has a bill to ensure ‘protected grazing reserves’ for Nigeria’s Fulani, on the table. Very often Fulani and their cow are targeted and killed across Nigeria, when they stray into farmlands.
It is generally hoped that this bill is soon passed and that it is able to protect the lives of the Fulani and their livestock this traditional African culture that provides virtually all of the nations cattle beef and replenishes the ecosystem.
