Ipob opposes proposals by Governor Mbah to establish cattle ranch in Enugu State

IGBO secessionist group the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) has rejected plans by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to establish a cattle ranch in the Nimbo saying the development poses a threat to the southeast geo-political zone.

Over recent years, the Fulani herdsmen problem has created tension across Nigeria as their cattle have been known to destroy farms and crops and when farmers complain, the herdsmen has responded violently, attacking them with AK47 assault rifles. In addition, Fulani herdsmen are renown for carrying out very violent crimes across Nigeria, including kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and banditry.

As far back as 2021, Nigeria's the Southern Governors Forum reached a consensus to ban open grazing, compelling all cattle rearers and pastoralists to operate from ranches. Their stance was eventually accepted by Fulani herdsmen's bodies the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and its breakaway faction the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, who said they will quit open grazing if the Nigerian government makes finance and logistics available for their members.

Looking to implement this programme, Governor Mbah unveiled plans to open a cattle ranch in Nimbo, to meet all the state's animal husbandry needs. However, Ipob spokesman Emma Powerful, said the group would never allow the establishment of a cattle ranch in Enugu State or any other part of the southeast.

Mr Powerful said: “Subsequent to the plans by the Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah to establish cattle ranch at Nimbo in Uzouwani community of Enugu State, we, the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra ably led by the great and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, hereby advises the governor to stop his plans. The Enugu State government, in connivance with some community leaders, has mapped out some communities land to be sold to Fulanis.

 The names of the community leaders involved in such connivance will be made public soon. Enugu State citizens must know about the arrangements of Dr Peter Mbah in giving away their ancestral lands for his political interests and compensation.

“Ipob is monitoring Governor Peter Mbah and his collaborators and they should understand that Ipob will not allow the establishment of any cattle ranch anywhere in Enugu State. If Governor Peter Mbah is genuinely interested in establishing a cattle ranch in Enugu State, such ranch must be managed privately by an Igbo businessman.

"Only Ndigbo are allowed to own cattle ranches anywhere in Igbo land and we don’t want to have Fulanis operating any cattle ranch in Alaigbo. Eastern Security Network (ESN) must be on an alert and wait for an order from the Ipob leadership to move into Nimbo Community in Uzouwani.

We call on the community youths, community groups and Enugu citizens to provide Ipob/ESN with any information of any proposed site for Fulani camp or ranch anywhere around Uzouwani. ESN will stop at nothing to ensure that Peter Mbah and his government don’t establish Ruga in any part of Enugu State.

“We are also informing the South East Governors Forum to shun any idea of establishing cattle ranches in any state in the southeast. Ipob and ESN operatives won’t allow any establishment of Fulani camp in the name of cattle ranch in any state in the Biafra territory.”