Plateau state on Monday took to the street to protest the creation of grazing reserves in the state. According to some of the youths, the protest became necessary following reports that the federal government has donated parcels of land for the creation of grazing reserves in the state.
The youths, all dressed in black attires, chanted “we no go agree o, we no go agree o,” as they embarked on peaceful demonstrations across Jos city, the state capital.
As early as 7am today, the protesters while dancing to songs of Bob Marley and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, marched through major roads in the city after which they converged at the gateway to Government House in Rayfield, where they chanted slogans in protest against what they termed “land grabbing through grazing reserves.”
Led by their leaders, Dachung Bagos, Dr. Giwa Gwomson, Gershun Nanle Idi, and Morgan Amos, the youths displayed banners and placards with various inscriptions.
These include: “We Stand Against Land Grabbing Through Grazing Reserve in Plateau State,” “We Say No To Grazing Reserves In Plateau State,” “We Don’t Want Foreigners Grazing,” and “Don’t Mortgage Us,” among others.
The heavy presence of armed security operatives led by the state Commissioner of Police, Adekunle Olagunjoye, and a representative of the state government, Mr. Joseph Lengmang, who is also the Director General, Peace and Conflict Resolution Bureau who were present at the protest venue, did not deter the protesters, who went on to read their resolutions.
The resolutions, which copy was presented to the Bureau for Peace and Conflict Resolution, demanded the removal of Plateau from the list of 11 states recently announced by the federal government as donating lands for the creation of grazing reserves.
“We are therefore calling on the Plateau State government, to as a matter of urgency, rethink and retract its steps on its earlier decision, and de-list Plateau State from the states that have agreed to contribute lands for the purpose of the policy,” the resolution said in part, adding that the people of the state were surprised with the announcement without due consultations for their consent.
“This will be in keeping with the mood of the majority of citizens of the state and demonstrating government’s responsiveness to the wishes of the people on this contentious matter.”
The resolution challenged the state government to rather concentrate on providing farming inputs to crop farmers to boost yields as well as focus its energy on areas where the state has comparative advantage.
The Police commissioner, who remained on ground till the youths dispersed at about 1pm, told Daily Trust in an exclusive chat, that he monitored the protest to ensure it was wholly peaceful, adding that he had earlier invited the protesters to his office, where in company of other heads of security agencies warned against “occupying Plateau State.”
Joseph Lengmang, Director General, Peace and Conflict Resolution Bureau told the protesters that he will communicate their grievances against the state, to the appropriate quarters for response, but assured that the protesters will be invited in a week’s time for dialogue.
The protest is coming barely a week after the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh announced in Abuja that 11 states, including Plateau state, have donated 5,000 hectares of lands each for grazing reserves, totalling 55,000 hectares across the federation.
