Edo to Register Northern Settlers

Edo State Government has disclosed that it would compile a database of Northern settlers in the state to tackle cases of suspected Fulani herdsmen attack on farmers. 

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. John Mayaki, revealed this in a statement adding that the initiative would allow for identification of strange characters within the domain.

 According to the statement, Governor Obaseki made this known to members of Arewa Community in the state, led by its President General, Alhaji Sahabi Umar after breaking the Ramadan fast with them at the Government House in Benin, on Thursday night.

The governor also urged the community to embrace the diversity inherent in Nigeria’s ethnic make-up and forge a united bond, asserting that no true Fulani herdsman would abandon his cattle and take to killing of innocent farmers; but noting that the recent cases of rape and murder were by divisive foreign elements. 

He said, “To checkmate the ugly trend, a committee will be set up to carry out community by community delineation of northern settlers across the state and identify new comers and their aims.”

 On the issue of grazing, Governor Obaseki noted that fenced grazing areas with watering facilities would be clearly defined by the government for herdsmen to feed their cattle with payment of economic fees for services rendered.

 The governor assured them of fair treatment regardless of religious differences, acknowledging that intermarriage has made them stakeholders in Edo.

 Meanwhile, President of Arewa community in Edo, Alhaji Umar appreciated the governor for breaking the fast with them and stated that Arewa community was unhappy with recent attacks as it was giving them a bad name.

 He pledged to support the government in identifying and dealing with the bad elements amongst the Fulani, who were causing unrest in the state.