No herdsman would kidnap Falae- Fulani group

A Fulani leader in the SouthWest yesterday said no Fulani man would kidnap former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae. The statement followed allegation that Fulani herdsmen were responsible for his abduction.

President of Jamu Nati Fulbe Association, a Fulani socio-cultural group in the South-west, Alhaji Salihu Kadir, said no Fulani herder preoccupied with feeding and nourishing his herds of cows and sheep would think of kidnapping anyone, not to talk of an elder statesman like Falae.

He also flayed suggestion in some quarters for a ban on grazing in the southwest, saying such call would amount to denying herdsmen their means of survival. This, he stressed, would equally hurt the economy of that part of the country.

In an interview with Daily Trust, the Fulani leader reiterated call for the establishment of grazing reserves for herders to prevent the recurring clash between farmers and herdsmen.

It would be recalled that Falae was last week Tuesday abducted in his farm in Akure, Ondo State and spent three days in the kidnappers’ den before regaining freedom.

There have been insinuations that Fulani herdsmen were responsible for the abduction with some indigenes of the south-west calling for cancellation of grazing in the region.

However, the Serikin Fulani deplored what he called the unending blackmail of the Fulani herdsmen, noting that every crime committed is linked with herdsmen.