Criminality must be treated as such irrespective of ethnicity- Plateau MACBAN scribe

Some Plateau communities have recently experienced a resurgence of violent clashes leading to loss of lives. In this interview with TIMESCOPE NICK YASHI, The Secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Plateau State chapter, Barrister Salisu Isa Muhammad, bears his mind on issues triggering the crisis and how to find solution to the decades long crises.

What is your take on the recent resurgence of violent conflict in Plateau State between herders (Fulani) and native tribes?  

It’s unfortunate; the conflict dates back to around 2001. Poor management of the conflict and failure to arrest and prosecute the real perpetrators helped to sustain the crisis. Stakeholders must secure lives and properties and ensure justice. You mentioned natives versus Fulani. In my opinion, Fulani are also natives. You should call it farmer-herders conflict. If the root cause was interrogated, we would not have found ourselves here. Unless perpetrators of the conflict are made to face justice, we would continue to have this problem.

The Fulani have been alleged to have forcefully taken natives' land despite an Anti‑Land‑Grabbing Law in place in the State? Why is that so?  

If lands were taken, the courts and existing laws provide remedies; many Fulanis have a long‑standing presence, some purchased land, and claims should be legally pursued rather than lead to violence. We have never taken anybody's land.

Are you aware that over 40 communities in Plateau North have been taken over leading to the presence of Internally Displaced Persons?  

People have been displaced across communities and that displacement affects all groups; when displaced people settle elsewhere, one must investigate whether they are displaced rather than assume land‑grabbing. It is not one particular tribe grabbing another's land. It is as a result of the crisis which has displaced all. If you see a particular tribe settling in another place, before you call them land grabbers, you need to dig deep and find out where they were before. Possibly they were displaced. I know of places where Fulani lived for over 100 years. There are areas where they lived under agreements. There are areas where Fulanis bought land from the owners and nobody can chase them away unless you pay them back their money. If people really feel their lands have been taken, they should approach the court and not take up arms. They should probe the case and wait for the court decision. There are many areas where the Fulani have been chased away from. I give an example of Du Jos South, where you don't find a single Fulani there. Go to Mangu, the Fulani have been displaced and the land occupied 

Are the Fulani hiring mercenaries to attack communities on the Plateau?  

I am not aware and do not believe Fulanis are hiring mercenaries to attack. The Fulanis sometimes defend their  cattle and property which can lead to clashes. At the point of rustling of cattle, they defend themselves which leads to clashes between the two parties.

Cattle rustling is alleged to be carried out by both Fulanis and natives—how should it be dealt with?  

Cattle rustling is criminality and must be treated as such regardless of ethnicity; perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted and security/intelligence should be proactive. Let us deal with criminality as it is irrespective of who is involved. Why we have criminality on the Plateau is because justice is not been served.

Why are peace agreements repeatedly been violated by your group- the Fulani?

Agreements are good but parties must be properly informed of the terms. Violations may be caused by criminals acting outside agreements or by reprisals; one must investigate the causes before assigning blame. This question should be directed to those who violated the agreement. Perhaps an agreement could be there and then criminals would do their act of criminality and then one group would accuse another of violating the terms. Meanwhile it is an act of criminality. Before I accuse anyone of violating the terms, I need to know what caused the violation.

As a lawyer and MACBAN secretary, how can permanent peace be restored after 20+ years of conflict?  

 Justice must prevail—punish perpetrators regardless of tribe; government must be honest and non‑political in handling the crisis; stakeholders should receive equal treatment, fair hearing and equity to avoid generalizations and enable lasting peace.