Former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda has claimed that Fulani herdsmen have been a source of income for Nigeria since 1907, after the conquest of Danfodio and the introduction of indirect rule by colonial masters who authorized payment of ‘Jangali’ cattle tax on Fulani herdsmen which was then the sole source of revenue for the federal government.
“It is not a rumour, I have the copy of a paper document in which the then ruler, Lord Lugard, signed through the office of the Secretary of the Federal Government ordering the payment of ‘Jangali’ cattle tax by herdsmen. Fulani on their cattle. Then there was no other source of revenue than the ‘Jangali’ cattle tax, the former governor in Bauchi said on Saturday.
Speaking at the launch of the Baatol Fulaku Socio-Cultural Development Association at the Zaranda Hotel, Bauchi, Yuguda recalled that the indirect rulers (Lugard) sought sources of income for the then Nigerian government but to no avail, before landing on the herdsmen. Fulani. pay taxes on their cattle, hence the government’s ‘Jangali’ cattle tax.
The former however lamented that today the Fulani herdsmen were the most neglected citizens of the country whose rights as citizens have been trampled on by the powers that be, only to be baptized as bandits or armed robbers.
He explained the concern that the Fulani have always been on the defensive, especially when their cattle are being stolen and trying to get them back or they are called all sorts of names, while nothing is done to provide them with social services like schools, hospitals, etc. or infrastructure facilities such as grazing land or cattle trails.
According to him, governments at all levels are doing nothing to raise their standard of living like other citizens in the country.
Therefore, Yuguda urged each and every Fulani eligible to vote to ensure the security of their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the only way to install or elect a responsible government that can meet the needs and aspirations of their communities in the country, saying the 27 existing Fulani associations across the country would soon come together to politically chart a way forward along with their designed plan.
The national president of the Baatol Fulaku Sociocultural Development Association, Hon. Muhammad Dahiru Lamido had previously expressed his satisfaction at the inauguration of Baajol Fulaku, a registered socio-cultural organization whose aim is to enhance and promote unity, enhance progressive ideas and enlighten nomads about modern forms of agriculture, promote culture and heritage fulbe, among others.
He expressed his satisfaction that Baajol Fulaku has gone national with each region and state of the federation adequately represented in the organization’s leadership/membership which, among others, focuses on establishing support and cooperation with the government, security agencies, security, traditional rulers and others. stakeholders among Fulani communities to end the persistent crisis between farmers and nomads.
Alhaji Muhammad Lamido expressed his hope that greater harmony, cooperation, understanding and mutual coexistence could be the panacea for achieving lasting peace in the country, and expressed concern at the rate at which nomads are subjected to a series of victimizations, injustices and satirized in most cases without proper investigation.
