Ranches in some countries are larger than states in Nigeria: Bagudu

Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, claims that some countries have ranches larger than some Nigerian states.

On Channel Television, he said this while discussing the farmers-herders conflict.

Bagudu said that mapping out grazing routes will help to identify the scale of the herder-farmer crisis, thus justifying President Muhammadu Buhari’s order on grazing reserves.

Buhari recently appointed a committee to examine 368 grazing sites in 25 states to assess the extent of encroachment.

In some parts of the country, this was met with fierce opposition.

However, Bagudu stated that the president’s directive does not rule out the possibility of ranching.

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“The committee’s job is to find grazing routes and map them with the help of the states.” It’s not about reclaiming grazing routes; it’s about determining the scope of the problem.

“An audit of grazing reserves is something Mr. President is interested in.” It’s a voluntary and cooperative effort between the states. People claim we discussed ranching. But what exactly is a ranch? Ranching takes place on a piece of land, not in the air.

” Ranches are comparable to grazing reserves in size. Some ranches in some countries, such as Australia, are larger than some Nigerian states.

“How do you know what’s available, what can be supported to host those roving, herding communities that require modernization assistance?”

The governor went on to say that the Fulanis are victims of banditry as well, but that many of their stories go untold.

He claimed that many Fulani people are decent and peaceful, but that some Nigerians do not listen to the Fulani side before accusing them of crimes.

“I’ve met with a number of Fulani communities in my state who have told me that they, too, are victims.” They are the first to be kidnapped and have their castles robbed.

“It’s easier for a drunk child or someone abusing drugs to kidnap his cousin or sister and demand cattle be sold or money be given to him in a community where there is no road, no police, no infrastructure.”

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They are the primary victims of kidnapping, which is carried out by Fulanis and non-Fulanis who have banded together to form criminal gangs.

Cattle rustling is a crime committed against people who transport or own cattle. Many Fulani are unavoidably victims, and they are impoverished as a result.

“We don’t even hear their stories,” says the narrator. We don’t hear their side of the story. We simply believe they are complicit. No, they aren’t. “The vast majority of them are peaceful, decent people trying to make a living,” he continued.