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Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 9:46am On Jul 01, 2019
OfficialAPCNig:
So how will this rant stop the RUGA Emirate in yoruba land?
We are working on killing ruga.
Politics › Re: Hegemony: What Igbo Can Learn From Yoruba - Reno Omokri by MetaPhysical(op): 9:44am On Jul 01, 2019
Okoroawusa:
I don't like Reno Omokri.We don't see eye to eye on most national issues.But as an Igbo n a well educated one as that, there is not one thing that Reno has written about the Igbos up there that I disagree with. Maybe it's because am Igbo born n brought up outside the South East n South South regions,historian,philosopher. Sometimes I tell myself maybe that is why am different. I see the bigger picture.



The Igbos have a long way to go religiously, culturally n politically.
It will happen for them. Nigeria is holding everyone back and im sure on their own with no pressure of fitting in they can develop a culture and custom, as well philosophy that works well for them. Their constant agitation and pressure contributes to our perception of them as running against the grain.
Politics › Re: Awareness In Yorubaland by MetaPhysical(op): 9:39am On Jul 01, 2019
Amatarasha:
So that their cows will be feeding on spare parts right?
Im about to sign off. Amatarasha ill check for email.
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 9:33am On Jul 01, 2019
Amatarasha:
ar u toasting me or wat ?
Does poison mean anything 2 u?
Or avent u heard of eggcrusher b4
yanga! are you too good to be toasted? I have your antidote, its on my lips. You kiss me with that poison and become my possessed territory
Politics › Re: Gazette Or Not, Southern States Never Had Grazing Routes. Routes Were In North. by MetaPhysical(op): 9:28am On Jul 01, 2019
lastmessenger:
Nigeria must maintain equity to all. This is the only way to sustain peace and progress in this county. Whatever done to A must be done to B. That way we all will live in peace. Peace is achievable in Nigeria. It only require a sincere leader who can have the political will to do so.
Secondly Nigeria should be purely run as a secular state. In fact I suggest that all form of religious colouration be expunged from our constitution and rule of law. The constitution should be our only guide to the daily activities of the country. We must give a sense of belonging to all. This is the only way to sustain peace.
No one is denying what you say...I believe what regional leaders want now is true federalism. If we had true federalism Yoruba will enforce its anti-gun laws equitably so one side is not armed with assault rifle while the other only has a stick.

Do you know how long they have had this banditry in zamfara? It has been going to almost 12yrs or longer now. It will blow up, it will die, then flare up and calm....on and off. At the root of it is Farmer/Herder clash. Why do they want to solve a problem nationwide that they have failed to solve in just one state for over a decade? At least they should use their pilot ruga to solve zamfara first. Show us that it can work, that it is a good solution and not a window dressing to resettle West African fulanis in Nigeria.
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 9:18am On Jul 01, 2019
Amatarasha:
Hey Excarpex try it and see hw i will punish you

Enough is a enough !
I thought you were bae. See as you dey show love sef. grin grin
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 9:16am On Jul 01, 2019
yaki84:
Oh so because he is same age ur grand dad u cant insult them... So gej na ur class mate, atiku na ur junior student, those igbo elders u insult r ur younger brother's mate..... Ur brain is rugad...
Shut up! yeye
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 9:15am On Jul 01, 2019
Amatarasha:
Nope ...i mean ur 2 guinea egg been pounded alongside fufu
How do u see dat?
grin grin You and I, our talk no dey here. Make you email me o if you no wan make i vex with you. angry
Politics › Re: Hegemony: What Igbo Can Learn From Yoruba - Reno Omokri by MetaPhysical(op): 9:13am On Jul 01, 2019
angry angry angry angry angry angry
Politics › Re: Un To Wade In - Marginalization Of Se by MetaPhysical(op): 9:10am On Jul 01, 2019
IMO Chapter of CAN complains to UN of marginalization after it realized ruga will be created in other regions except SE. grin
Politics › Un To Wade In - Marginalization Of Se by MetaPhysical(op): 9:08am On Jul 01, 2019
In a similar development, Imo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday threatened to drag President Muhammadu Buhari to the United Nations should he continue with his Ruga policy for herdsmen in the country.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/07/can-to-drag-buhari-to-un-over-ruga-policy/
Politics › Re: CAN Drags Buhari To UN Over RUGA Policy by MetaPhysical: 9:01am On Jul 01, 2019
Bethel4Life:
u mean the two-faced cowardic regionhuh
See your mouth! Na so you go talk to your Yoruba inlaws?
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 8:58am On Jul 01, 2019
Amatarasha:
I love you too elede ni e... kiss we are dating when ur 2 eggs are been crushed to mash wt my fufu pounding barehands ...

Ruga scatter you 2
I heard what you said. shocked You say you will enjoy the delight of my two balls pounding your mix. cool
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 8:54am On Jul 01, 2019
Hey Excarpex, modify this nonsense and remove my name from forum page. Yeye ipob.
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 8:53am On Jul 01, 2019
Amatarasha:
Cursed man ... Karma is coming!
I no u be mod try n do anything funny n see me at 619
Why una dey accuse me so. Your brother say i insult Buhari, now u say i be mod. Nnamdi Kanu don curse una?
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 8:51am On Jul 01, 2019
Ama, send me mail so i can reserve a ruga for you.
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 8:48am On Jul 01, 2019
Amatarasha:
check it ...i wrote ruga n u change it to yuga

.manipulations of the rugard
cheesy cheesy cheesy yeye girl.
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 8:44am On Jul 01, 2019
Amatarasha:
Le porc du la quest ... Yoruga love ruga


Metaphysical karma will judge you guys ,watch out ok
I love you too babe! kiss When are we going on date? Ruga scatter you there! grin grin grin
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 8:42am On Jul 01, 2019
Amatarasha:
Nothing will happen 2 us , let the burning hatred of igbos on nigeria take it cos ...

Yuga shud go 2 yoruba
Olodo! Yuga ko, Gayu ni... grin grin
Politics › Re: Gazette Or Not, Southern States Never Had Grazing Routes. Routes Were In North. by MetaPhysical(op): 8:31am On Jul 01, 2019
lastmessenger:
let's be sincere for once instead of writing all these epistle. As the population of Nigeria increase in number and the available land becomes limited,how possible can it be to sustain open grazing?

One thing is is worthy of note and that is the fact that change is constant and sensible human being must embrace change as they come. Cattle rearing by open grazing is no longer sustainable or will become unsustainable in few years.Therefore, it becomes imperative for those who are into cattle business to adopt a new strategy to rear their cows.

The world have developed an advanced and scientific method of cattle rearing and its working for them. We must look to those who are doing it in a better way and learn from them. We cannot continue to hold on to crude and archaic method of doing things and expect better result.

This the time for a change in the method of rearing cows . The Fulani's must embrace ranching if they mean well for Nigeria. They must know that by provoking other ethnic nationalities, they not only risk their head,they also risk the total collapse of Nigeria.

Lastly Nigeria need serious bother control to stem the continuous influx of foreigners into our land. The security agencies must put maximum effort in securing our borders.
In every political issue to do with our democracy North is quick to make us aware that they have the largest land mass, the largest population. Whether ranching or grazing, North is best fitted for it considering their large land mass. Fulanis dont need South for grazing. Their purpose for coming South is to improve weight on the stock and up the value. In one feed a cow gets nutrition from eating just grass but it gets nutrition and minerals from eating farm crops and the gain in calories can raise its value by 200,00naira by time it enters into market. The food raised 200,000naira for the fulani pocket but loss to the farmer....if he is not butchered in the process. So their purpose in South is to feed crops to cows free and gain a profit margin in the market. Their encroachment into farms is not accidental at all. So we can agree there is cruelty.

Imagine that farmers carry ak47, fulani only carry stick. Everytime farmers see herds of cows they rush in and grab one or two to take home for their family to feed and if the fulani mince a word of protest they point ak47 and blow him down. Two days later they see another fulani with cows and they repeat their action. His little daughter going with him the farmer put her to the side of road and raped. Her father is killed she is raped, four cows are missing. No farmer is ever arrested or convicted. How would that look?

So the problem we have is not a farmer/herder clash. The problem is that of law. Some people are above law and they need to carry weapon to bully farmers and feed cow fat for more value. Take away ak47 from fulani or arm farmers to balance the equation. That's the solution, not ruga.
Politics › Re: Gazette Or Not, Southern States Never Had Grazing Routes. Routes Were In North. by MetaPhysical(op): 8:09am On Jul 01, 2019
seunmsg:
The fact that all lands belong to state is a settled matter. That law was tested in the case of Lagos State vs FG over Banana Island and Lagos won. FG cannot force and state to surrender her land for any policy or scheme whatsoever and from what I have read so far about RUGA, there is no intention to force any state.

The scheme will kick off in the 12 states that have voluntarily made lands available for the construction of the settlement and all these states are in the north. So, I don’t really get why we are making so much noise about nothing.

If we are all interested in finding a solution to the constant farmers and herders crisis, then we should support this policy in as much as it is limited to consenting states. The level of misinformation about the policy by political propagandist is just amazing. Someone even posted falsely somewhere yesterday that over 200 new Fulani LGAs will be created nationwide. We must be able to read in between the lines when we come across some of these misleading information.
Boss, I had to take small break go do something come back. This your post interest me o.

Yardua had reversed the law, I think back in 2009....but it is crazy to think we even had such a decree to begin with....even now sef I dont support the idea of land being in the hand of State Governor. A society must be organized around liberties. We copied this administration system from the old English traditions but with few tweaks by the Americans. The only thing missing is we dont have a Monarch, everything else is English. In every society of old civilization it was agreed that Govt is an agent, they serve as buffer between land BARONS and land TENANTS. We have gone backward when we remove the role of Govt as an agent and confer on it the role of land baron and now everyone is a tenant. This is why I continue to use the Lagos Idejo Chiefs as reference point on land discussions in Nigeria. They told Beecroft point blank that Dosunmu is govt, not baron, and his right to cede land not belonging to him is null! The matter went to England and came back with victory for the land owners. These were people without degrees. We have degrees in this age...and look at how we have been turned to yoyo by govt. grin
Politics › Re: Hegemony: What Igbo Can Learn From Yoruba - Reno Omokri by MetaPhysical(op): 7:51am On Jul 01, 2019
bastardmod:
Ncnc and npc coalition, instead of join the AG and be Prime Minister, he joined the north and they got the pm...
Where are you, at Onitsha bridge head? angry angry

You are constituting nuisance when you say Azikiwe made Balewa PM.
Politics › Re: CAN Drags Buhari To UN Over RUGA Policy by MetaPhysical: 7:45am On Jul 01, 2019
yourtotalneeds:
•Says Ruga ‘ll create jobs, reduce herders/farmers conflict •



UN bodies wade into herdsmen-farmers crises



•Ruga settlement: Suspend project or face court action, Tiv professionals threaten FG

•Imo CAN to drag Buhari to UN over RUGA policy



•Southern, Middle Belt leaders reject Ruga settlements.



It’s true FG gazetted land in 36 States. THE Presidency last night confirmed that the Federal Government has gazetted lands in all the 36 states of the federation for the Ruga settlement but that the programme was optional for states to participate.
A Hausa-Fulani boy stands while his cattle is grazing near some farms in the outskirts of Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria, on April 22, 2019. – Massive expansion of farming in Nigeria has cut access to grazing land for nomadic herders and fuelled persistent violence.


It also said that one of the cardinal objectives of the programme was to reduce herders/farmers clashes that have claimed many lives and property worth billions of Naira. Besides, the Presidency said some of the state leaders that were kicking against the programme were those that do not have any justifiable reason for failing to pay workers in their states. These came as a coalition of United Nations agencies, led by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security, UNTFHS, weekend, met with key stakeholders to discuss the protracted conflict affecting communities, particularly in Benue and Nasarawa states. This is even as a group of Tiv professionals in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, yesterday called on the Federal Government to immediately put its Ruga settlement project in Benue State on hold or face legal action. Meanwhile, Imo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has... see full article here>> https://www.yourtotalneeds.com/can-drags-buhari-to-un-over-ruga-policy/
Everyone is getting ruga except SE. I knew Ibo will soon feel cheated and clamoured for one or two rugas. So what's Imo CAN going to UN for now, to complain marginalized because they gave everyone ruga but not Iboland? grin
Politics › Re: Why Is Metaphysical And Sarki Now Insulting Buhari? by MetaPhysical: 7:42am On Jul 01, 2019
goodnessme1:
Then why are You disrespecting baba like Igbos.

Just donate your land in the spirit of one nigeria.
grin grin
Disrespect ke? My beautiful sister abeg no mind that yeye boy. He goes around falsely accusing people after he smokes weed finish.

I responded on one of your posts two days ago. I liked what you wrote.
Politics › Re: Gazette Or Not, Southern States Never Had Grazing Routes. Routes Were In North. by MetaPhysical(op): 7:30am On Jul 01, 2019
QueenSekxy:
You people in SW benefited in rail way, government positions and all, why are you people running from ruga benefits?
Fg should implement this ruga in the region/state that voted them.
Let them complete there benefits in all ramifications.
Queensexy,
Na you i see so? Ive been looking for you. Wetin happen, where have you been? Were you banned again? shocked
Politics › Re: Gazette Or Not, Southern States Never Had Grazing Routes. Routes Were In North. by MetaPhysical(op): 7:27am On Jul 01, 2019
helinues:
I am not understanding all this epistle. Is op saying FG do not have lands in all states? Are they forcing states to accept Ruga?

If Ruga are rejected mostly by southern states, will that stop the killer herdsmen from killing ? ( As long as their cows graze openly, conflicts with farmers are inevitable)

Have Southern states ready to start Cow rearing business?

If no Ruga, what better alternatives is on ground? Condemning is easy but proferring solutions have always been the problem in Nigeria
The bottomline is cow. Forget about herder and focus on the cow. Cattle is not native to South. The culture of cattle rearing is Northern. So why is cattle not reared and groomed in North, why are they bringing them South to rear?

The reason is twofold, (1) the Northern government have refused to invest in revamping grasslands; (2) conflicts in Northwest and Northeast.
If there is a conflict in South they will be forced to look elsewhere for the herds, but Northcentral and South is peaceful and viewed as a relief. They are aware they will not easily be accommodated so they are using state resource to settle the foreign culture amongst Southerners.
Politics › Re: Gazette Or Not, Southern States Never Had Grazing Routes. Routes Were In North. by MetaPhysical(op): 7:14am On Jul 01, 2019
Bethel4Life:
At op.. Are u trying to say that ur god and saviuor buhari is wronghuh Let d head of bmc catch u...

btw do u mean u don't support ruga in south west?
I love you too sweetie... kiss kiss kiss
Yes, of course, I like your hairdo, you look gorgeous! grin Make sure you follow me if you want learn.
Politics › Re: Gazette Or Not, Southern States Never Had Grazing Routes. Routes Were In North. by MetaPhysical(op): 7:11am On Jul 01, 2019
To Fairfora,
Have you ever seen Decree no6 of 29th March, 1978?

YarAdua sought to change it in 2009.

Let me show you. I want you to compare with what is going on now. grin grin

My images are two separate...one for the State Governor, the other for the Local Government. They are all documents in the same decree.

During Military rule Governors were posted like Youth Corpers are...Northerners in South, Southerners in Middlebelt. Southerners did not rule North. I guess it was like that in 1978 as well. If it was, imagine what Northern Military Governors did with lands and minerals in the South. grin

I share these information to say one thing....our mumu in South did not start with APC/PDP for those who blame it on voting pattern.

Yaradua reversed this land use decree no 6 but Buhari appears to be using back door to return to the Local Govts and get grazing access. NFIU was setup to use intelligence to locate stolen wealth hidden in foreign lands. Now NFIU is threatening penalty and prosecution for any financial institution that releases LG subventure any other way than direct exchange to the LG. In other words, LG have financial autonomy now. Their income is issued direct from FG, no longer from State.....and so they are free to enter into direct exchange and contracts with FG. Read what it says in that image about LG giving land for grazing. This was in 1978! grin

We are doomed, but we continue to believe our degrees and lawsuits will save us against ak47s. cool

Politics › Re: Gazette Or Not, Southern States Never Had Grazing Routes. Routes Were In North. by MetaPhysical(op): 6:56am On Jul 01, 2019
Racoon,
Ok, so it's all about the cattle wealth. Cows are priced by size and range from 60,000 naira to half a million naira. Those who can afford service of fulani herders usually have cows numbering a thousand or more. It's a good source of wealth, sustainable and relatively cheap to operate. You dont need to build a shelter for them, they graze in field and drink from stream. Their size and value improve when they have good sustenance. Therefore they have to get to where to find resource to improve their worth. This is where the fulani herdsman come in. It is his duty in exchange for compensation in cash and animal to manage their grazing and well being between home and market. Home could be in Gusau and market is in Iseyin, the herder makes it happen. Did you see the video of Nneme people chasing fulani and cows out of town? Were you able to count the number of heads zooming past the camera?

Certain problems in the North threaten herd sustenance and puts the life of their herders at risk.

1 - dwindled resources
2- inter-ethnic wars in Northwest and Northeast

Therefore it has become imperative to avoid massive loss of stock and also preserve the fulani cultural lifestyle, that they find new zones for the cattle to graze in. This is why there is pressure in Northcentral....and now spilling into South. Who are the people enforcing herd relocation? MiyettiAllah had played it smart long ago. They offered retiring military officers heads of cow to supplement their post retirement interest in agriculture and farming. The officers in turn used their influence in security force to bully the way and gift to miyetti access rights to places it traditionally did not have rights of access. This is why when a herder is in distress after committing crime and he is overpowered he presses a button on his phone and gets word across for rescue from military barracks nearby. In other words, miyetti bought itself protection. In Nassarawa a military officer got in trouble a while back for failing to respond to distress call from fulani under attack.
Politics › Re: Hegemony: What Igbo Can Learn From Yoruba - Reno Omokri by MetaPhysical(op): 5:32am On Jul 01, 2019
bastardmod:
Reno, what you call pride is an assertive spirit that goes with the confidence of competence.

You might be right if you say igbos are not perfect (who is perfect anyways?), but that's not what I hear you saying. I just hear another igbophobe in the making.

Listen, before Babangida and obasanjo made concessions to the north/south, azikiwe ceded the Prime Ministership to the north, despite having the majority of seats in parliament.

So because our culture doesn't involve prostration, then we're not humble? Nonsense. We can't obey our grandfather to shave off our beard? You're just a big idiot.

You see, time sorts all things out. Thank God you know we're the most intelligent, just give it time, we will reach our destination. But for now let all we told you about the zoo continue to happen,
Azikiwe did whattt..huh
Politics › Re: Hegemony: What Igbo Can Learn From Yoruba - Reno Omokri by MetaPhysical(op): 5:28am On Jul 01, 2019
selemempe:
I have read this. My thoughts are as follows:

1. Igbos were killed in the north b4 1960 so politics is not really the major divide btw us. Religion religion religion. It creates a value system. I can swear that saudi arabia and uk can not form a peaceful country.

2. Yes the igbos are proud people and we should learn to be more humble. Dont always call out other tribes, we igbos are not perfect too.

3. The average igboman really has nothing against a yoruba. We are neither afraid of them or envious of them and we dont hate them. Most igbos believe that a country made up of yoruba, igbos and ss will be by far the best in africa.

4.the north knows they are a problem and they know that the south knows this....so they try not to offend the south at once in order to ensure that the south dont unite against them. 1999 was to ensure yorubas dont unite with igbos against them...they did it for themselves not for nigeria.
1 and 4, very good and solid points!

As we approach closer to 2023 their fear of South will surge because they know power rotates back to South and this time Tinubu is in control. They will either try to endear to Tinubu or attempt to castigate him out of fear for his stratagem and dead silence in the middle of pressure. Northerners do not like silent people because they find them unpredictable.
Politics › Gazette Or Not, Southern States Never Had Grazing Routes. Routes Were In North. by MetaPhysical(op): 4:55am On Jul 01, 2019
I love raising awareness for the public and would love to bring to you some very good information, to hear it first here in Nairaland. I am reluctant to do that because as always, Onitsha bridge head touts that have nothing to contribute other than noise jump in on my thread and derail it.

This piece here is very very important information for keeps. This shares with you the history of and presence of pastoralism in West Africa, partuclarly about Nigeria and why we are where we are now. I put a brief snippets here but follow the link to download the pdf document and read. This is for serious readers, the information is vast but educative, not just about Nigeria but rest of West Africa as well pertaining to Farmer/Herder conflicts. I want to say the following:

1- We have heard President Buhari say on many occassions that grazing routes were gazetted back in the 60s. When you hear this you would think its a route across the nation. No. Grazing routes were only for Northern Nigeria. No land in Southern Nigeria was gazetted to be used for grazing....Never! So now under current situation it would be wrong to start carving land in South for grazing, our land was never in the gazette for cattle routes.

2- Bandits crossing into South are intentional. These bandits have terrorized fulani and killed fulanis in North for many years, particularly in Zamfara. They were contained there. So who let them loose to cross from border states in NorthWest hinterland into Nigeria?
Security forces of course!


https://unowas.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/rapport_pastoralisme_eng-2.pdf


According to available data, Nigeria has the highest number of livestock in West Africa, with the number of cattle estimated at 20.5 million101. It is also likely that Nigeria has the highest number of pastoralists in West Africa, as colonial-era census data indicates. Most Nigerian pastoralists are Fulani by ethnicity, but Fulani pastoralists are not a homogenous group. In Nigeria there are many different Fulani clans, sub-clans, local Fulani cultures and dialects, and variations in herding practices.


Blocked transhumance routes and loss of grazing reserves

There are many challenges facing pastoralists in Nigeria. Transhumance routes are in practice not well protected and are often cultivated or
blocked. This includes the cattle routes used by herders on a day-today basis when they are taking the animals for grazing in the morning
and returning to the camp or village in the evening. In the South, the infrastructure to regulate the relationship between pastoralists and farmers does not exist. The 1965 law establishing grazing reserves in the then Northern Region was ‘inherited’ by individual states in northern Nigeria after the regions were divided into states in 1967. The grazing reserves are therefore under the jurisdiction of northern states, not of the Federal Government. Most grazing reserves in northern Nigeria now only exist on paper. An example, which has regional implications
for south-west Nigeria, is the loss of much of the Bobi Grazing Reserve in
Niger State, which was a major grazing area. While the Bobi Grazing Reserve was equipped by the Federal Government with facilities for pastoralists, part of it has been turned into farmland. The UNCT/Nigeria notes that this happened as pastoralists abandoned the Reserve because of deteriorating infrastructure. The loss of grazing reserves and other pastoral land in northern Nigeria partly explains why more pastoralists have moved to southern parts of the country where grazing reserves never existed.



Banditry and cattle rustling

Banditry is a serious form of insecurity in parts of central and northern Nigeria that has cost many lives. The modern history of banditry in northern Nigeria allegedly goes back to the early 1990s, as armed bandits from Chad entered the country across the north-eastern border. The Nigerian government played a vital role in controlling the flow of banditry from Chad, as Nigerian security agencies tightened security along the border in the mid- to late 1990s. After the Chadian banditry declined, some locals stepped into this space and took up banditry, cattle rustling and robbery. The local bandits and victims were mainly Fulani, and in response Fulani pastoralists set up vigilante groups. These groups have been combatting rural banditry in Taraba and Adamawa States, often working with local authorities. They reduced the incidents of banditry in much of Taraba and Adamawa, but banditry persists in other parts of northern Nigeria. The North-West is now the worst affected zone, notably Zamfara and Kaduna States. In Katsina State, the government managed to contain the problem. The state government is also reported to have re-opened and secured some of the transhumance routes and grazing areas for pastoralists and to be seeking to increase nomadic education for boys and girls. Consequently, violence is now relatively low in Katsina. In contrast, there has been endemic, large-scale violence in Zamfara State that forced the pastoralist population to leave large areas of the state. Gangs of armed bandits have occupied swathes of southern Zamfara. The violence reached a high level in 2012-2013 and has persisted intermittently since then, with frequent large-scale attacks on villages. The number of fatalities in the Zamfara violence is likely to run into the thousands. The violence also spread to Kaduna State, with bandits occupying part of bordering Birnin Gwari LGA. The bandits are organised and heavily armed; their criminal activities
include the stealing of cattle, kidnapping for ransom, and armed robbery.

Many of the bandits were identified as being Fulani while victims were Fulani and Hausa. Some of the political elites in Zamfara sponsored vigilante groups to confront the bandits but they mobilised these groups against the local Fulani population, creating generalised violence between Fulani pastoralists and Hausa farmers that has claimed many lives111.Fulani pastoralists claim they do not support the bandits, as they are also victims of such banditry, provoking their exodus from southern Zamfara to other parts of Nigeria, especially to central and northern states. The stirring up of inter-ethnic, farmer-herder violence in reaction to the banditry ended up scattering ‘innocent’ and ‘criminal’ elements from within the Fulani population; thus, the problem of banditry expanded beyond Zamfara. Subsequently, pastoralists who were displaced by the conflict and then returned to Zamfara discovered their grazing land being cultivated by farmers and their homes destroyed.
This became a source of tension. Some pastoralists were accommodated as internally displaced persons around Gusau. The government of
Zamfara State has directed that land belonging to pastoralists who fled be returned to them.

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