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BY SUNNY A. DAVID
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has explained why it placed ban on Fulani cows in the South-East, stating that Igbo people spend over N3 trillion on beef annually.
IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, stated this in a statement made available to journalists on Monday.
Powerful said, “Igbo people alone in Biafraland spent more than N3 trillion every year on cows. We, therefore, want to stop using our money to finance the genocidal attacks on our people by Fulani herdsmen. Let them keep their cows that we may have our lives.”
It maintained that ban on the movement of Fulani cows in the area would take effect from April 27, 2022, adding that the enforcement on law against open grazing earlier passed by the State Houses of Assembly in the region would commence same date.
He said the ban was not targeted against any tribe, but a measure for self preservation.
The secessionist group said those interested in cow business anywhere in the zone must have ranches, while their cows should be properly marked for proper identification.
It warned that cows seen outside ranches with effect from April 27 would be treated as contraband products, advising owners to adhere strictly or have themselves to blame.
The statement reads in part, “We wish to make the following clarifications concerning the ban on the movement of Fulani cows which will take effect from the April 27, 2022.
“From April 27, 2022, we shall commence the enforcement of the ban on open grazing which has since been pronounced by South-East Governors and passed into law by many States in Biafran land but the Nigeria security agencies have failed to enforce them.
“Thus, from the said date, no cows should be seen roaming the streets of Biafraland.
“From April 27, 2022, anybody interested in cow business anywhere in Biafra land, must have a ranch, and properly mark the cows. Cows seen outside ranches with effect from this date shall be treated as contraband products. Owners of such cows should blame themselves.
“Owners of cows and ranches should properly mark them with their ranch name or symbol for easy identification.
“The above measures have become necessary to stop the senseless and wanton killings in our land by Fulani jihadists masquerading as herdsmen.
“We want to stop the incessant invasion of our communities and raping of our mothers and sisters by Fulani herdsmen. Enough is enough!
“Our action is not targeted against any tribe. We are only taking this measure as a necessity for self preservation.
“We want our people to breed native cows in our land and also put them in a ranch. We won’t tolerate the wandering of cattle again in our land.”
