Prelate of Methodist Church in Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Sunday Makinde, has condemned what he called the unholy activities of Fulani herdsmen in most parts of the country.
Makinde, who expressed dismay at the criminal activities of herdsmen in Benue and other states across the country, lamented that their activities had led to loss of innocent lives and property.
The Prelate, who made this known during a courtesy call on Governor Gabriel Suswam at Government House, Makurdi, the Benue state capital, called on governments at all levels to adopt the policy of late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, by creating ranches and grazing reserves for herdsmen.
He said: “It is very unfortunate that the unabated crisis between native farmers and Fulani herdsmen across the country is leading to loss of lives, maiming and most times, raping of women.
“The dangerous aspect of it is the sophisticated weapons some of these Fulanis carry about. The question is what is their motive of arming themselves against the innocent farmers whose crops are destroyed by their cows.
“I think government at all levels should create grazing fields and ranches so that their cows would not be allowed to stray. Late Awolowo did this when he was Premier of Western Region.”
The Prelate, who was in the state for a ceremony holding at the Makurdi Diocese of the church on Sunday, hailed Suswam for his developmental efforts which he said had impacted positively on the people of the state.
