Killings: Govs to Ban Night Grazing, Under-age herding, others

Chukwudi Ndubeze

Nigerian Governors have said it will ban night grazing and under age herding over security threats posed by such activities in the Southwest region of the country.

This was disclosed after a joint meeting between the Kayode Fayemi – led Nigerian Governors Forum and the leadership of Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) among other key stakeholders.

The meeting which held at the international culture and event center (DOME) Akure, Ondo State, Monday, cited incessant killings, kidnapping and crises between herdsmen and farmers in the Southwest geo-political zone of the country as necessities for the ban.

The governors at the meeting resolved that Night grazing and under age herding is inimical to insecurity and should be banned henceforth while they also condemned the alleged illegal occupation of State Forest Reserves by the Fulani herders.

The governors resolved that to avoid conflicts between farmers and herders, free range grazing must be stopped including an enduring framework with MACBAN in a way that will help address security issues.

They stated that MACBAN is ready for any peaceful move by the states to engender security even as it warned that Fake news is another issue that worsens security in the region.

The meeting also urged MACBAN to embrace and be committed to modern breeding process by creating grazing reserves and practice ranching to prevent cattle roaming about.

It also agreed that sanding Committee comprising of farmers, MACBAN and the Government be set up in each state to ensure synergy and result.

The meeting agreed to strengthen alternative security arrangements and make them complementary to the mainstream security agencies in the country adding that there is need to create economic opportunities for people to reduce opportunities for criminalities in the country