Press release on fulani/herdsmen related conflicts

PRESS RELEASE

CONAECDA SECRETARIAT COMMITTEE OF FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES ON FULANI /HERDSMEN RELATED CONFLICTS

1.     Following the conference resolution number 2 of CONAECDA 2015 on the Fulani Based conflicts, the secretariat set up the committee of frontline communities on Fulani /herdsmen related conflicts with the following objectives.

i.      Study the CONAECDA POSITION DOCUMENT and make final correction for forwarding to relevant bodies

ii.     Look into all relevant issues of the Fulani based conflict and design action plans to resolve the issues.

iii.    Compare notes on what each one is doing.

iv.    Work with the Government and relevant institutions to resolve identified issues.

v.     Cooperate towards a peaceful resolution of the issues.

2.     The following communities are to serve as the frontline communities; they represent our over 300 member communities. Other affected communities may be added later.

i.      Jukun 

ii.     Eggon

iii.    Alago

iv.    Aho

v.     Migili

vi.    Tiv

vii.   Idoma

viii.  Berom

ix.    Tarok

x.     Atakar

xi.    Nandu( Sanga)

xii.   Marwa

xiii.  Tangale

3.     The first meeting held on Friday 15^th and Saturday 16^th April 2016 at CRUDAN Guest House Jos, with the following communities sending delegations. The delegations where led by National Presidents of the CDA’s and teams from their conflicts, peace and reconciliation committees.

i.              Jukun 

ii.             Tiv

iii.            Idoma

iv.            Berom

v.             Tangale

vi.            Nandu( Sanga)

vii.           Marwa

4.     The committee received detailed reports on happening in the various communities and observed the following:

a.     Most of the attacks faced by our communities are not directly arising from farming or grazing activities.

b.    Most of the attacks are carried out with the prior knowledge approval of the Hardo’s with clear acknowledgment by miyetti Allah that they are reprisal attacks.

c.     That there are clear indications that they conflicts are complicated by religion, ethnicity, crimes and politics.

d.    That the conflicts are largely land related as is evidenced by the depopulation of communities and the subsequent occupation by Fulani herdsmen.

e.     That despite the large scale massacre of innocent villagers, the kidnappings, the cattle rustling and armed robberies carried out by this criminals who identify themselves as Fulani herdsmen and for whom the government and their organizations have insisted that the solution to the conflicts is the creation of grazing reserves; many of our communities are labeled as intolerant and unaccommodating.

f.     There are links between these herdsmen with criminals, mercenaries, terrorists and foreigners in the conflicts.

g.    The attackers tent to focus their attention on river valleys, highlands and mountain ranges, forests and hills. With grave implication to the Security of Native communities and the Nation.

h.     Vast lands belonging to Autochthonous peoples such as the Berom, Tiv in Taraba, Northern Banks of the river Benue are now occupied by Fulani herdsmen after dislodging the native populations. Such areas are now Fulani territories and natives are not allowed into such areas.

i.      Government officers seem to be divided or lack clear understanding of the issues, while politicians out of their desire to be politically correct shy away from the realities of the dangers confronting this nation.

j.      A national crisis of unimaginable proportions is brewing and is complicated by the involvement of some bad eggs in the security agencies who are sometimes involved in the ongoing conflicts.

5.     The committee in line with its mandate is resolved to seek and pursue peace and security for our people and Nation. And shall confront issues with the highest sense of responsibility.

6.     The committee shall work with well meaning groups and individuals towards restoring peace and security to our communities.

7.     The committee shall create awareness on the conflict and built better understanding among our peoples, other Nigerians and the international community.

8.     The committee shall meet with politicians, government officials, and other interested Nigerians with the aim of resolving the issues.

9.     We believe the solution to the problem is not the creation of Fulani territories on our land and are determined to use every legitimate means to ensure our right to indigenous lands is protected in line with the relevant United Nations resolutions.

10.  We call on the government to dislodge and relocate Fulani from all occupied lands belonging to indigenous communities and to ensure the return of the rightful owners.

11.  As community leaders and patriotic Nigerians, we fear that the inability of the Nigerian state to protect its diverse peoples and guarantee their rights may lead them to self help which will not be good for the country.

12.  We wish to state that the arrogant statements which seek to project some Nigerians as better than others and to claim territories that never belonged to them is a very dangerous trend. The continuous violence against Nigerians in the guise of religious, ethnic or political devotion is weakening the fabric of National unity.

13.  The Federal government must be alive to its responsibilities as the Nigerian state seems to be losing its legitimacy not only in the eyes of ordinary Nigerians but most especially among the major ethnic groups.

14.  The committee shall continue to meet in hope of bringing the conflicts to an end; it has also designed actions to be taken immediately funds are available.

Signed

Suleman (Solomon) A.D. Sukukum

Secretary General