Fulani Leaders Back Kano Move to Reclaim Encroached Grazing Reserves

Fulani leaders in Kano have backed the state government’s move to reclaim encroached grazing reserves, cattle routes and other pastoral assets across the state.

Daily Trust reported that leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and the Fulani Development Association of Nigeria praised the step in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on June 6.

Pastoral Groups Cite Conflict Risk

MACBAN’s Kano chairman, Capt. Abdullahi Bakoji (retd), said encroachment on grazing reserves and stock routes has been one of the drivers of repeated disputes between farmers and herders.

He said the state government’s executive order against the sale, allocation or conversion of grazing reserves was a timely response to concerns long raised by pastoral groups.

Committee Identified 371 Affected Assets

According to the report, a multi-stakeholder committee involving local government officials, district heads, land officers and pastoralist representatives documented 371 grazing reserves and cattle routes affected by encroachment in the last two years.

The groups said the recovery effort should help reduce conflict and protect livestock infrastructure if it is enforced consistently.

Sources: Daily Trust, NAN