National Christian Elders Forum has kicked against plan by the Federal Government to set up ranches in 10 states, saying it is a ploy to grab lands for Fulani herdsmen across the country.

The association added that the plot was part of what it called stealth jihad to take over lands belonging to other Nigerians and give them to herdsmen who would subsequently appoint Emirs and claim ownership of the land.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, NCEF Chairman, Mr Solomon Asemota, admonished Nigerians to interpret the Federal Government’s decision against the history of land and land reforms in the country.

He noted that previous land reforms in the country had benefitted only the Fulani, noting that their Emirs were made custodians of land taken from their original owners.

He said, “The proposed ranches were meant to take land for Fulani jihad and Nigerians should do everything within their power and within the law to resist moves to take their land. Most people who supported the decision didn’t understand the plan.”

According to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sharia law provides that all land once occupied by Muslims automatically become their own “by grant from Allah that has decreed an Islamic world.”

He stated that the game plan of the government is to take over the land, give it to the Fulani who would subsequently appoint an Emir to rule over the area and thus appropriating the land.

He added, “North land law was the product of Fulani Jihad where land abandoned by the original indigenous owners as a result of Jihad were given to Emirs as Trustees.

“The compensation meant for the original land owners, paid in accordance to British tradition that land cannot be acquired without payment of compensation, was handed over to Emirs to keep in trust until the original owner returned. The compensation is still in the custody of Emirs to date.”

Punch