Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State has banned the settlement of unauthorised herders migrating into the area from other states or local government areas without the knowledge and consent of host communities.
The council also warned against grazing cattle on cultivated farmlands, saying the directive was part of measures to strengthen security, prevent infiltration by criminal elements and promote peaceful coexistence among residents.
The Chairman of the council, Dr. Christopher Manship, announced the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting with traditional rulers and leaders of Miyetti Allah at the Felix Dakyap Guest House, Doemak.
In a statement issued after the meeting and signed by the Director of Press and Publicity to the Chairman, Danaan Sylvanus, Manship said the council would no longer tolerate the influx and settlement of herders migrating into Qua’an-Pan without the knowledge and consent of host communities, particularly indigenous residents and the leadership of Miyetti Allah.
According to him, the measure became necessary to stop criminal elements from entering the local government under the guise of pastoral migration and to preserve the relative peace currently being enjoyed in the area.
The chairman urged members of the herding community not to harbour or accommodate persons fleeing from other locations after allegedly engaging in criminal activities, violence or destruction.
He also warned that any herder found grazing cattle on cultivated farmlands would be held accountable in accordance with the law.
Manship urged pastoralists to restrict grazing activities to designated grazing reserves and fallow lands in order to avoid conflict with farmers.
The statement said the ban was aimed at safeguarding peace, security and community cohesion within Qua’an-Pan.
The chairman also emphasised the need for unity and peaceful coexistence between indigenous communities and Fulani residents in the local government.
In his remarks, the Long Pan and Chairman of the Qua’an-Pan Local Government Traditional Council of Chiefs, Nda Miskagam Jerom Leklat, commended the council chairman for what he described as a proactive step.
He urged community leaders to intensify sensitisation at the grassroots and report suspicious movements or unauthorised Fulani settlements to relevant authorities.
The traditional ruler assured the council of the full cooperation of the traditional institution in strengthening vigilance across communities to ensure that criminal elements do not find refuge in Qua’an-Pan.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Qua’an-Pan, Alhaji Sai’du, commended Manship for adopting an inclusive approach and pledged the association’s full cooperation.
Sai’du said Miyetti Allah would strengthen internal coordination to ensure compliance by Fulani settlers with the directive of the government and security agencies.
He also promised that the association would work to prevent the influx and settlement of persons with questionable backgrounds or unidentified Fulani migrants, warning that such movements could undermine peace and stability in the local government.
He assured that Miyetti Allah remained committed to supporting any government that treats citizens with dignity, equity and respect for diversity.
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