The Chairman of Voice of Arewa, Salisu Gezawa, has urged herdsmen to return to the north if the south does not make ranching provisions for them.

He also encouraged farmers and herders in the south-west to embrace peace.

Mr. Gezawa stated this during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, suggesting that the two parties should embrace the Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) settlement for Fulani herdsmen introduced by President Muhamadu Buhari.

According to him, the policy would reduce insecurity in the region. The Buhari regime had suspended RUGA in 2019 following outrage by southerners against the policy.

Mr. Gezawa asserted that ranching was an idea prevalent in other countries even though it was vehemently kicked against by some state governments in the south-west, south-east and south-south.

“Ranching is the best thing we can do to ensure peace. But if the southern region refuses, let the herdsmen take the policy to where there are lands in the north so there will be peace,” he said.

The Secretary of Arewa Community in APC Lagos, Umar Daura, also noted that efforts were already in top gear to ensure peace among farmers and herdsmen in the south-west.

“The Seriki Fulani has already toured the whole of South-West states from Oyo, Ogun and Ondo states to ensure peace between farmers and herdsmen.

“This last Sunday, he went to the region to pacify them on the need not to create tension as the security of this country remains paramount,” Mr. Daura said.

(NAN)