Niger ‘deports’ 200 Fulanis Herdsmen Under Tight Security

The Niger State Government over the weekend evicted about 200 Fulani herdsmen under tight security from the state.

It was gathered that the herdsmen who were said to have arrived the state a week ago, first settled in Biri forest with their cattle, but were later asked to leave as the forest is a Military shooting range.

It was reliably gathered that the herdsmen had to leave their cattle under the care of few amongst them while the rest went in search of alternative place to settle for grazing, hence the choice of Gulu village in Shiroro Local Government Area.

Members of Gulu community who became apprehensive on sighting such number of herdsmen planning to settle in their community raised the alarm by reporting the matter to the authorities concerned.

Our Correspondent gathered that the state government did not only order for the immediate eviction of the herdsmen from the state but also provided trucks to evacuate them back to Kaduna State which they claimed they had come from.

Speaking to the Journalists, the North/Central zonal chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Isma’ila Rebe, frowned at the action saying, “they are harmless, they were forced to relocate to the state after losing their grazing land in Rijana village of Kaduna State.

He said “They are from Rijana in Kaduna state; they had to relocate to Biri in Niger state after their grazing land in Rijana was sold to members of the public, they are harmless herders.”

The Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said the herders must be evicted considering the state of insecurity in the country, advising them that if the need for movement in such number arose they should always liaise with their registered associations so that the government would be adequately informed.

The governor who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Nomadic matters, Sadiq Abubakar, said 200 herdsmen were evicted contrary to the rumours that they were only 40 in number and that they are all members of one family.

He added that the state government provided four trucks (canter model) for the evacuation of the herders.


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Posted: at 23-03-2014 11:52 PM (10 years ago) | Newbie

Wetin dem they find up and down sef. Dem no get village wey get bush to grazing their cows. They are more vilent more than d bokos sef.

Posted: at 24-03-2014 08:34 AM (10 years ago) | Addicted Hero