2015 Polls: Bala Meets Fulani Herdsmen In FCT
In a bid to ensure peaceful elections in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has advised all cattle rustlers the Ardos (Fulani Chiefs) from the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, to eschew violence during the forthcoming general election.
The Minister who had a meeting with this ethnic group Monday in Abuja, reiterated that it is in furtherance to the efforts being made by the FCT administration to ensure violence free elections come march 28.
Senator Mohammed emphasised that the FCT Administration would continue to protect all residents of the Federal Capital Territory including the Fulani herdsmen scattered around the 8,000 square kilometers of the Territory, adding that Abuja belongs to all Nigerians.
“My Administration would continue to protect the lives and property of all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory including the new but sophisticated crime of cattle rustling, he stressed.
The Minister pointed out that Fulani herdsmen are known for their peaceful co-existence and urged them to continue to toe that line to ensure minimal friction between them and the host communities before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
He however reminded that President Goodluck Jonathan has been nice to him as a Northerner, noting that they the FCT residents need to help him reciprocate by returning the President come May 29, 2015.
The Minister directed Area Council Chairmen to consider putting some important Ardos within their jurisdictions on monthly salaries in order to give them a sense of belonging.
He also used the occasion to set up a high-powered Task Force on crime and cattle rustling control to be chaired by the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu.
The new Task Force comprises of the Director of the Directorate of State Security Services, Commandant, FCT NSCDC; representative of Commandant, Brigade of Guards; Special Adviser Security to the FCT Minister, AMAC Chairman, Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Secretary of the FCT Area Council Secretariat, Special Assistant, Political to the Minister, six Ardos representing the six Area Councils.
Giving words of advice at the occasion, the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu advised Fulani herdsmen to be careful and cautious in providing abode to their kith and kin coming in from other parts of the country since no one can be trusted.
He gave the herdsmen a telephone hotline to be called in case of distress.
Responding, the National President of the MIYETTI ALLAH, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi promised to mobilise his members to continue to support the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed as well as President Goodluck Jonathan.
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