The Midwest movement has warned against a proposed RUGA settlement for the controversial Fulani Herdsmen by the Federal Government.

The members and management of the group signed the statement on Wednesday.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Umar reiterated this untoward plan, on Tuesday 25th June 2019 in Abuja.

Reportedly, The Federal Government within the next five years plans to establish these said Ruga settlements in states across the country.

Reacting, the Midwest Movement, a pan-Edo/Delta group representing the old Midwestern Region described the move as a tactical renewed plot by the Federal Government to annex swaths of lands belonging to various ethnic nationalities in State across Nigeria, in a bid to settle Fulani herders in colonies to be known as RUGA settlements.

The MM “call on the Federal Government to immediately rescind its planned veiled colonization of our peoples, while enjoining the Governments of our home-states of Edo and Delta reject same in clear and unequivocal terms. While not opposing the desire of the Federal Government to settle nomadic herdsmen (and any other such groups whatsoever), these should be done in areas and land that are native to such groups.

“The planned aggregation in whatever guise, of the lands of the 12 ethnic nationalities of the Midwest Region of Nigeria, without recourse to consultations with the traditional and bonafide owners, is akin to an invasion.

“As peace-loving people, and firm believers in a One Nigeria where peace, justice and equity reigns, the Midwest/Bendel peoples of Delta and Edo States firmly advice the Federal Government against the perpetuation of any policy that may impact negatively on the seeming already strained unity of the Nigerian federation.”

The group called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Governors of Edo and Delta States, the national legislators, its leaders, the international community and all persons of goodwill to help keep Nigerians and its indigenous peoples safe.

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