Usman-Ngelzarma, who said they are more of a trade group doing their legitimate business, stressed that they also need protection from the government.
The newly elected National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) Alhaji Baba Usman-Ngelzarma, has stated that the generality of the country sees MACBAN members as the criminals, instead of seeing them as victims.
Usman-Ngelzarma, who said they are more of a trade group doing their legitimate business, stressed that they also need protection from the government.
The new President however unveiled a four-point national agenda as a panacea to the age-long farmer-herder clashes in the country, adding that his administration would pursue the national agenda under the acronym CORE: Consultations, Orientation, Reintegration and Empowerment.
This was made known during a courtesy visit to the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, for his support all through the process that brought on board the new leadership of the Association.
According to the National President, there has been a general loss of sense of belonging among the pastoralists in recent times due to extortion, kidnapping, farmer-herder conflict, cattle rustling and banditry, which they have been at the receiving end.
He assured that MACBAN would draw the government’s attention towards empowering members of the Association who are victims of the crisis.
He said; “We have to go round the country to orient pastoralists towards peace and pursuing their peaceful business of cow rearing.
“Cow rearing is a business. We are more of a trade group doing our legitimate business.
“We are not a criminal group and this group also needs protection from the government. Instead of seeing them as victims, the generality of the country sees them as the criminals. Our members are not criminals.
“This is because there has never been a time when the pastoralists were supported or assisted after losing their means of livelihood from the protracted Boko Haram insurgency and other forms of insecurity in most parts of the country.
“Pastoralists have gone through hell and fire as they have virtually lost their source of livelihood”, he claimed.
Baba Usman Ngelzarma blamed the menace on urbanisation and the high demand for land, which he said is not growing, on the encroachment of grazing reserves, national and international cattle routes.
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