Fulani Herdsmen have affirmed that no one has the right to restrict them from grazing their cattle in any part of the country.
Herdsmen, under the umbrella of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, therefore, dismissed the ultimatums given by different groups for the herdsmen to vacate the southern part of the country.
The cattle breeders were reacting to the threat by some groups that they were ready to protect their territories from Fulani Herdsmen and their cattle.
In separate interviews with the Punch, the herdsmen noted that it was wrong for people to restrict their movement as the constitution guaranteed their movement into any part of the country.
The Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Plateau State, Mr. Nuru Abdullahi, said nobody could deprive Fulani herdsmen of their constitutional right of free movement.
Abdullahi said, “Why would they ask them not to go to the southern part of the country? It is their constitutional right to move freely as guaranteed by the laws of the land. What the various governments and security agencies should do is to prevent attacks and counter-attacks and such things that breed violence like cattle rustling and trespassing into farmlands.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of movement for every citizen of the country; this includes the right to live, work and carry out any legitimate activity in any part of the country. If and when you breach this freedom, then, the law should deal with you. So, asking anybody not to go to any part of the country is unconstitutional.”
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