Abuja chief warns herders against destruction of farmland
The Etsu of Wako chiefdom in Kwali Area Council of the FCT, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulaziz Usman, has warned herdsmen against destruction of farmlands in the area.
He was speaking after his visit to some Fulani settlements as part of his ongoing tour to rural communities across his chiefdom.
He said there have been complaints among the rural farmers during his tour of the destruction of farm crops by cattle which, he said, prompted him to visit some of the Fulani settlements to sensitize and caution them against the destruction of farm crops.
In fact, even before I embarked on a tour of rural communities in my chiefdom, there have been complaints from farmers that cows had been destroying their crops, and I now decided to use the opportunity of my tour to meet with the herders,” he said.
He said though, some of the herders also complained about their grazing routes being taken over by some farmers, he will meet with the farmers to sensitize them on the need to create grazing routes for cattle.
He, therefore, called on farmers and herders across the chiefdom to continue to live in peace with each other, saying they both need each other.
The traditional ruler, while lamenting the absence of infrastructure, such as good rural roads, water and health centres, appealed to government to come to the aid of his subjects in addressing their challenges.
Responding, the Ardon Fulani of Rigbe community, Shehu Abdullahi, appreciated the Etsu of Wako for sparing time to, along with members of his traditional council, for paying a visit to the herders camp in the area.
He said since herders relocated to the community over 13 years ago, no traditional ruler paid a visit to interact with them to know their challenges.
“Honestly, your royal highness, I want to tell you that you are the first chief to have come here to interact with our kinsmen at their camp in the history of Wako chiefdom. And we so much appreciate the gesture,” he said.
Abdullahi told the monarch that the major challenge herders encounter while rearing cows was the lack of grazing routes.
“And we will appreciate it your highness if you summon farmers in your chiefdom to sensitize them on the need to create grazing routes for cattle, which I believe will go a long way to curtail the destruction of farm crops by cattle,” he added.