By Ochuko Akuopha

OLEH—YOUTHS, under the aegis of Ndokwa National Youth Movement, NNYM, yesterday told the Federal Government to count Ndokwa nation out of its plans to establish cattle colonies across the country, describing the proposal as a ploy to create Fulani dynasty in all parts of Nigeria.

It said: “We are trying hard to work out why the Federal Government which already has more pressing issues to handle, such as the continuous scarcity and hike in fuel prices as well as the high level of unemployment in the country, chose to rather create an escape route for a killer group.”

Herdsmen with their cattle

NNYM, in a statement by its National Secretary,  Presley Idi, said the Ndokwa nation has no land to give, whether free or for sale, for the establishment of any form of colony.

“It is on record that this government has failed to come down hard and condemn in strong terms the notorious activities and killings perpetuated by herdsmen and it is forcing us to ask if they work for this government.

“Cattle rearing is a lucrative business but it is a private business, as such everyone who owns a herd of cattle should know that ranching is the best practice all over the world,” it added.

so it is their sole responsibility to build a ranch for their cattle.

“There has never been a time when our economy was supported or our Internally Generated Revenue boosted by cattle rearing. Frankly speaking, they contribute zero growth to our economy. Why then is the government so concerned with setting up colonies across the country?

“If the government of the day is sincere in it’s dealings, then jail terms and prosecution would have been what they will be proposing, not looking for a means to have more people killed by sending the herdsmen to live amongst the locals.

“To us youths of Ndokwa nation, we see this proposal as a ploy to continue the Northern supremacist agenda and our people will resist the ploy in its entirety.

‘We also wish to remind the President, security agencies and the general public of our earlier stand that should the herdsmen attack any of our communities, we will not hesitate to defend ourselves with every available means. We are not party to and will never support the creation of any cattle colony.”