The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has stated that it will begin enforcing its ban on open grazing in the South-East region on April 27, 2022.
This was announced by the secessionist group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, in a statement posted today, April 11. He said that beginning on that date, everybody in the South-East who is in the cow business must establish a ranch and properly mark their cows.
To avoid punishment, ranches must be properly identified with a recognized name or symbol, IPOB said.
According to the statement, “We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to make the following clarifications concerning the ban on the movement of Fulani cows which will take effect from April 27, 2022.
“From April 27, 2022, we shall commence the enforcement of the ban on open grazing which has since been pronounced by South-East Governors and passed into law by many states in Biafraland but the Nigerian security agencies have failed to enforce them. Thus, from the said date, no cows should be seen roaming the streets of Biafraland.
“From April 27, 2022, anybody interested in cow business anywhere in Biafraland, must have a ranch and properly mark the cows. Cows seen outside ranches with effect from this date shall be treated as contraband products. Owners of such cows should blame themselves.
“Owners of cows and ranches should properly mark them with their ranch name or symbol for easy identification.
“The above measures have become necessary to stop the senseless and wanton killings in our land by Fulani jihadists masquerading as herdsmen. We want to stop the incessant invasion of our communities and raping of our mothers and sisters by Fulani herdsmen. Enough is enough!
“Our action is not targeted against any tribe. We are only taking this measure as a necessity for self-preservation.
“Igbo people alone in Biafraland spent more than N3 trillion every year on cows. We, therefore, want to stop using our money to finance the genocidal attacks on our people by Fulani herdsmen. Let them keep their cows so that we may have our lives.
“We want our people to breed native cows on our land and also put them in a ranch. We won’t tolerate the wandering of cattle again in our land.”
The group outlawed the breeding and consumption of cows in the South-East region in October 2021. The group stated that the prohibition would be fully implemented in six months.
It went on to say that only local breeds would “be consumed and used for all ceremonies in Biafraland.”
“From that date, no more Fulani cows shall be allowed into Biafraland for any reason, not for burials, title taking, weddings, etc,” IPOB said.
He claimed the prohibition was imposed as a result of repeated attacks on their people by alleged Fulani herdsmen, which included killings, rapping of women, and other types of violence.
