Senate orders cows found loitering in City Centre to be slaughtered

Worried by continuous movement of cows in the City Centre despite several warnings by the Federal Capital Territory authorities, Senate Committee on FCT, has ordered the slaughtering of Cows found in the city centre.

The directive was handed down to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Mohammed Bello when he appeared before the Committee on Monday.

Committee Chairman, Senator Dino Melaye, in his address registered Senate’s disappointment at the manner Fulani herdsmen defy the order that they should not move their cows in the capital city, insisting that the Minister must carry out Senate’s position on that.

“Honourable Minister, Senate as an institution is not happy at how Fulani herdsmen continue to move their cows across the city centre, which we are aware you have given directive against that some time ago. ”

“From now, get knives and ask your men to slaughter cows found in the capital city or prosecute herdsmen seen with cows in the city centre with a fine of N50,000 per cow. 

This order must be carried out,” Dino said. Dino further revealed that the Senate had received complaints that some residents of the territory were converting their apartments into hotels and brothels, a situation he said was distorting original master plan of the city.

He noted that some people were already undermining FCT authority under his watch which he said was unacceptable.

Meanwhile, the hearing of the FCT officials and Nigeria Military who appeared before Dino Melaye-led Committee over unconstitutional acquisition of 238 hectare of land situated at Maitama extension could not continue.

In response to the Committee’s demand that the said plot was being investigated based on petitions it received from the public that Nigeria Military had chased away FCDA contractors who were working on infrastructure earlier in the months, the minister pleaded that FCDA be allowed to discuss with those concerned, believing they would revert to the Senate.

Major General Pat Ake who appeared on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff corroborated that Nigeria Military was capable of resolving the impasse with FCDA, maintaining they were ready to comply with the outcome.