Malam Ardo Bara, the Head and Spokesperson, FCT Herdsmen Group, says the FCT Administration has distributed vaccines to herdsmen in the territory free of charge.
Bara in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja said the vaccines were distributed to the beneficiaries by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello.
According to him, the vaccines are meant to help prevent deadly livestock diseases.
“I told them (herdsmen) that whatever transpired between us here, we take to government.
“So they know that they are very important and are recognised.
“They contribute to the economy; therefore, they should make their lives better.
“By obeying the rules and regulations of our constitution, by obeying laws by coming together and respecting themselves.
“We received a favour from the government last week; the government promised to vaccinate our cattle free of charge.
“The kind of diseases that destroyed cattle before is no more.
“They promised to locate cattle anywhere in Abuja to vaccinate them, for prevention and cure.
“So this is a step forward for the Fulani community. I believe the previous governments were not able to do such things.
“That is to assure the Fulani that government needs him and it is very important.
“I still have to remind them that 10 together are greater than thousands that are divided.’’
Bara added that he had instructed the herdsmen on where they could take their animals to for grazing, to avoid creating problems.
“On the issue of allowing the animals to move around the city centres indiscriminately, I met with the herdsmen and told them the areas they should not go.
“For now, we are surveying for grazing areas where these animals can be, I believe the idea will help to ease the situation,’’ he said.
He urged government to address the menace of cattle rustling and kidnapping.
According to him, the herdsmen cannot relocate to the bush because of challenge of rustlers.
“Some communities come around in the night fight them, steal their animals, and give them injuries.
“They steal their animals and sometimes they pay huge amount of money for ransomed.
“If government can tackle this problem, the herdsmen will move to the bush immediately.
“I have instructed them to ensure they obey the laws of the land and live in peace with people, they promised to obey.
“I want to use this opportunity to tell people that the herdsmen use sharp objects to kill snakes and other dangerous animals and not for attacks,’’ he said. (NAN)