From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos
The Fulani community in Plateau state has suspended its participation in the ongoing dialogue between it and other communities in the state following increased stealing of their cows.
They made the intention known in a letter signed by the group’s chairman in Plateau state, Shehu Buba Umar after pleading with the traditional rulers, local and state governments including security agencies to tackle the problem of cattle rustling in the state which has led to several clashes between the Fulani and other communities.
And since the appeal has not yielded the desired result, they decided to withdraw their participation, the statement said.
“We are under tremendous pressure from our people and since we are representing them, we have no option than to withdraw from the dialogue pending further consultations.” They further said.
It would be recalled that since last year, a dialogue session has been organised by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), a foreign non-governmental organization which has been helping in rebuilding mutual relationship and trust that has since collapsed among the various ethnic groups in the state.
The letter, addressed to the Senior Consultant for the HD centre, Phillips Ostien, read in parts,”This is sequel to the killing of two young cattle rearers and outright shooting of 40 cattle on the 7th of March, 2014. Similarly, 566 cows were rustled into Vwang village of Jos South LGA on same date. Only 65 cows were recovered till date.”
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