Attacks: Plateau LG bans unauthorised herders’ settlements

The Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State has banned the settlement of unauthorised herders migrating into the area.

It also warned against grazing cattle on cultivated farmlands as part of measures to strengthen security and promote peaceful coexistence among residents.

The directive was announced by the Chairman of the council, Dr Christopher Manship, during a stakeholders’ meeting with traditional rulers and leaders of Miyetti Allah, held at the Felix Dakyap Guest House, Doemak.

A statement issued on Thursday after the meeting and signed by the Director of Press and Publicity to the Chairman, Mr Danaan Sylvanus, said the chairman declared that the council would no longer tolerate the influx and settlement of herders migrating into Qua’an-Pan from other states or local government areas without the knowledge and consent of host communities, particularly the indigenous people and the leadership of Miyetti Allah.

According to Manship, the measure was aimed at preventing criminal elements from infiltrating the local government under the guise of pastoral migration and preserving the peace currently being enjoyed in the area.

He urged members of the herding community not to harbour or accommodate individuals fleeing from other locations after allegedly engaging in criminal activities or acts of violence.

The chairman also warned that any herder found grazing cattle on cultivated farmlands would be held accountable in accordance with the law, urging pastoralists to restrict grazing to designated grazing reserves and fallow lands.

The statement read, “In a bid to safeguard peace, security, and community cohesion, the Qua’an-Pan Local Government Council has banned the settlement of unauthorised Fulani individuals and groups migrating into the locality from other states or local government areas without the knowledge and consent of host communities, particularly the indigenous people and the leadership of Miyetti Allah.”

The chairman emphasised the need for unity and peaceful coexistence between the indigenous and Fulani communities in Qua’an-Pan.

He further charged the Fulani community not to harbour or accommodate any individuals seeking refuge within the council after involvement in acts of criminality or destruction elsewhere.

In his remarks, the Long Pan and Chairman of the Qua’an-Pan Local Government Traditional Council of Chiefs, Nda Miskagam Jerom Leklat, commended the Chairman for the proactive step.

He urged all community leaders to intensify sensitisation at the grassroots and to report any suspicious movement or Fulani settlement to relevant authorities to sustain peace in the area.

The Long Pan further assured of the traditional council’s full collaboration with the LG chairman in strengthening vigilance at the grassroots to ensure that criminal elements did not find refuge within any community in Qua’an-Pan.

The Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Qua’an-Pan, Alhaji Sai’du, commended the chairman for the inclusive approach and pledged the association’s full cooperation.

He said the Miyetti Allah would enhance internal coordination to ensure full compliance by all Fulani settlers with the directive of the government and security agencies, while also preventing the influx and settlement of persons with questionable backgrounds or unidentified Fulani migrants, which he warned would undermine the peace and stability of the local government.

He assured that Miyetti Allah remained committed to supporting a government that treated every citizen with dignity, equity, and respect for diversity.