Popular Nigerian Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Nigerian government to establish a Ministry of Nomadic Affairs to deal with the challenges of herders in the country.
Gumi according to local reports made the call at the Pastoralists and Fulbe Security Conference on Wednesday where he spoke on the topic “Exploring the contemporary security challenges facing pastoralists and Fulbe in Nigeria”.
The event was hosted by Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and the Northern Concensus Movement.
Gumi at the event said if the Nigerian government could establish a ministry to tackle the challenges of the Niger Delta, it could do same to reduce the excesses of gun-wielding herdsmen moving into banditry, destroying farmlands and threatening the livelihood of the country.
“Government should focus more attention on these people because they always say that they are aggrieved.
“What I expect from the government is nothing less than what it did, when the Niger Delta youth were vandalizing the economy.
“These people are also disturbing the Nigerian agriculture which is the backbone of national economy.
“I think the government needs to be more proactive they need an attention; the least they need is the Ministry of Nomadic Affairs that will look into their affairs,” he said.
The Miyetti Allah breeders also called for the protection of their members who are being abducted and killed in the country.
They said they have also been victims of the criminals wreaking havoc on Nigerians across the country.