The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has vehemently opposed President Bola Tinubu’s recent proposal to set up cattle ranches in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria. The group described the plan as a repackaged version of the discredited Ruga policy and a covert attempt to seize indigenous lands under the guise of government initiatives.
Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesperson, issued a statement on Tuesday condemning the Federal Government for placing the interests of cattle colonies above critical national priorities like education, security, and innovation. He highlighted the historical consequences of grazing demands, which have led to the domination of native lands by foreign emirates and the displacement of indigenous peoples. Powerful warned that Abuja could soon experience similar displacement if the plan proceeds.
He questioned the rationale for situating cattle ranches near the capital city, pointing out that no major global city allows such arrangements. “Let him point to any major city—from Nairobi to New Delhi, São Paulo to Seoul—where cattle are granted permanent settlements around central governance zones,” he challenged.
Powerful stressed that the land around Abuja belongs to the Gbagi people and that forcibly removing them represents cultural genocide. He lamented the marginalization of the Gbagi and predicted that in the coming decades, they might be erased from their own history.
IPOB vowed to resist any attempts to impose ranching or herder settlements in Biafraland. “Our forests, our villages, our farmlands are sacred to us—not bargaining chips,” Powerful said. He recommended transporting livestock by rail, as practiced in civilized nations, rather than establishing ranches near homes and schools.
The statement concluded with a plea for respect for Nigeria’s ethnic diversity and an end to the violence associated with cattle grazing. “Let the killings in the name of cows stop,” it said.