Fulani Herders Defy FCT Minister Wike’s Order, Graze Cows Near CBN Headquarters

Despite the warning issued by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, to Fulani herdsmen to stop grazing their cows in the city centre, some of them were spotted on Sunday doing the opposite near the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters and the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.

Mr Wike, who assumed office as FCT minister last week Monday, had cautioned Fulani herdsmen to take their cows out of the city centre, saying that it was unacceptable and unsightly to see cows roaming around the capital city.

“We cannot allow cows inside the city. It can be outside the city. That is the way it should be done,” Mr Wike had said.

“Because the grasses are outside the city. The grasses are not here. These are grasses we planted to beautify the city. The ones in the area councils are the ones that can eat.”

However, on Sunday, Newsflash Nigeria observed a herd of cattle openly grazing around Goodluck Jonathan Expressway, near the CBN and the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.

Photos and video of the cows grazing near the CBN were taken by the Gazette at about 1:52 p.m., on Sunday.

The CBN headquarters is located at Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way Central Business District, Abuja, which is metres away from Aso Presidential Villa, where the president resides.

The return of cows on the streets of Abuja shows that Fulani herders have ignored Mr Wike’s directive and continued their usual practice of open grazing in the city centre.

This practice has been going on for the past eight years, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, who did nothing to stop it.

Though this was condemned, Buhari’s regime did nothing about it as herders grazed their cows from Jabi district to Asokoro, Maitama to Central Business District, where the State House, National Assembly and Supreme Court are located.

Many Nigerians have condemned this practice as a sign of lawlessness and disrespect for the nation’s capital and its residents. They have also called for an end to open grazing and a promotion of ranching as a more sustainable and modern way of animal husbandry.

It remains to be seen if Wike will be able to enforce his ban on open grazing in the city centre. If he is not able to do so, it will be a major setback for his efforts to improve the security and cleanliness of the FCT.

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