Fulani leaders in Kano are backing the state government's push to recover 371 grazing reserves that have been taken over illegally. The move also includes reclaiming cattle routes and other pastoral resources across the state.
Officials from two major Fulani organizations praised the initiative on Saturday. They spoke separately to the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano.
Capt. Abdullahi Bakoji (Rtd) chairs the Kano branch of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.
His counterpart at the Fulani Development Association of Nigeria is Sani Adamu.
Bakoji called the government's action a bold and necessary step. He noted it would protect grazing reserves and livestock routes while promoting peace.
The encroachment problem has fueled deadly conflicts between herders and farmers across the region. "This is the root cause of our clashes," Bakoji explained to reporters.
Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf issued an Executive Order banning the sale or illegal conversion of grazing reserves. MACBAN says this directly addresses concerns they've raised for years.
According to Bakoji, the government showed real commitment with this decision. "It protects our critical livestock infrastructure and keeps our communities at peace," he told NAN.
A special committee was set up to verify which reserves had been lost. It includes local government chairs, district heads, land officers, and pastoralist representatives from each local government area.
The verification process was transparent and involved all stakeholders. Pastoralist leaders identified reserves they claimed were sold or encroached upon in the last two years.
District heads and land officers then confirmed these claims. Everyone involved signed off on the final list of affected areas.
Through this exercise, the committee verified 371 grazing reserves and cattle routes that had been compromised. All this happened despite existing rules meant to protect these lands.
Bakoji stressed that the initiative isn't targeting any ethnic group or profession. It's purely about preventing conflicts and strengthening harmony across Kano, he said.
History shows that lost grazing reserves have sparked serious tensions nationwide. The Kano government's action is therefore timely, Bakoji argued.
"We believe this represents an important step toward preventing future conflicts," the MACBAN leader noted. "It's also about managing our land better and improving relations between herders and farmers."
Sani Adamu, the FULDAN chairman, called on the Ministry of Livestock to enforce the order strictly. Without enforcement, he warned, farmers might try to return as rains begin.
Adamu stressed that action must be taken soon. "Once the wet season arrives, farmers will be tempted to go back," he told reporters.
