By John Moses
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposal to establish cattle ranches in the Federal Capital Territory, claiming the initiative is a disguised form of the controversial RUGA settlement scheme previously shelved amid public backlash.
In a strongly worded statement issued by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group alleged that the proposed ranching project around Abuja — traditionally the homeland of the Gbagyi (Gbagi) people — amounted to “state-sanctioned land grabbing” with ethnic implications.
“This is RUGA repackaged — a veiled attempt to legitimise Fulani expansionism at the expense of indigenous communities,” the statement said. “This policy mirrors historical patterns of conquest and dispossession, such as those experienced by the Hausa kingdoms.”
IPOB accused the federal government of prioritising cattle interests over critical sectors such as education and public safety, questioning the logic of establishing livestock settlements in proximity to a national capital.
“Which world capital zones its land for permanent cattle settlements? From New Delhi to Seoul, no serious nation tolerates such absurdities. This plan sends a dangerous message that violence by herders can lead to state-sanctioned rewards,” the group alleged.
The statement also warned that the initiative could lead to further ethnic tension, urging authorities to consider alternatives such as relocating ranches to more remote areas. “If rail infrastructure is truly in place, let cattle be transported to designated ranching zones far from civilian populations — including vast areas like Sambisa Forest.”
IPOB reiterated its longstanding opposition to any form of herder settlement within what it terms “Biafraland”, vowing to resist any such attempts.
The group also expressed solidarity with the Gbagi people, warning that the displacement of indigenous communities in central Nigeria could mirror what it described as “the historical subjugation of the Hausa people”.
IPOB concluded by urging the federal government to pursue policies that foster inclusion, respect for indigenous rights, and peaceful coexistence rather than “ethnically charged initiatives.”
