The Middle Belt Patriots, in response to President Bola Tinubu‘s call for governors to allocate land to Fulani herders for grazing, have urged state leaders to resist such pressure from the Federal Government.
The group emphasized that yielding to these demands would exacerbate the security challenges faced by the Middle Belt region and other parts of the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Steven Kefas, the Middle Belt Patriots expressed concern over the Federal Government’s consistent prioritization of the interests of pastoralists over the safety and well-being of indigenous populations.
The group vehemently condemned the directive from the Federal Government, describing it as provocative and ill-advised.
You can also read: Defence Headquarters Set to Unveil New Wanted Terrorists and Bandit Leaders
They highlighted the fragile security situation in the Middle Belt region, which has been plagued by violent attacks from armed Fulani ethnic militias.
The statement warned leaders and communities in the Middle Belt region to reject and defy the federal directive, emphasizing that acceding to these demands would only escalate ethnic clashes, increase violence against indigenous populations, and disrupt the fragile peace in the region.
The Middle Belt Patriots called on political leaders, traditional rulers, and youth/community leaders in affected states to stand firm against the pressure to allocate land for grazing, stressing the need to prioritize the safety and security of their people above all else.
