By Dotun Ibiwoye

As public outrage continue to greet the violent attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Nimbo community, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Malaysia chapter, has urged the National Assembly to discontinue further deliberation on Grazing Land Bill, which is on the floor of the upper chamber at the moment, as it would cause more harm than good.

Armed Fulani-herdsmen

The Igbo diaspora group, expressed concern by the security lapses in the country, saying it’s making the entire Igbo residents in Malaysia worried as many people have been killed and thousands displaced.

The group in a statement by its President, Comrade Biafra Onyebuchi Diboh and Secretary General, Mr Singleton Nnaemeka commiserated with the people of Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State over the massacre of her people that left over 40 people dead last week by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The statement read: “The National Assembly should immediately discontinue further deliberation on Grazing Land Bill that is on the floor of the upper chamber of the House of Assembly at the moment, as it would cause more harm than good.

“Both Enugu State and the Federal Government of Nigeria failed the people by their inability to rise to the defense of the people of Nimbo community area when they had earlier sent warning signal concerning the attack. The apparent poor response of security agencies under the Enugu State Government and the Federal government is unacceptable.

“The government in both levels should sit up and ensure all involved in this act are brought to Justice. We want the Federal Government to do much to console and placate the people of Uzo-uwani, as well as ensure that cattle rearers embark on modern system of cattle rearing which involves caging them in ranches as practiced over all advanced countries.”

The Grazing bill is titled: ‘An Act To Provide For The Establishment Of The National Grazing Reserve (Establishment And Development) Commission For The Preservation And Control Of National Grazing Reserves And Stock Routes And Other Matters Connected Therewith’ is sponsored by Hajiya Zainab Kure, who represents Niger South constituency of Niger State.

The bill was first brought before the 8th assembly but was rejected by the 7th House of Representatives.

In its second outing, the bill has so far scaled through the first and second reading in both House of Representatives and the Senate and would soon be passed into law if it survives a third reading and is assented to by the President.