South-west governors, Miyetti Allah agree to ban night, underage grazing

Governors of the six South-West states and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association  (MACBAN) have agreed to ban night and underage grazing in the  region.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of their meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The meeting was held following the directive given by Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, that herders should vacate all forest reserves in the state within seven days.

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Monday’s meeting was also a fallout of an incident in Oyo State where a local warlord, Sunday Adeyemo, led residents to chase out members of a Fulani community in Igangan over allegations that they harbour criminals.

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Some of the governors in attendance were Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Mohammed Abubakar (Jigawa), and Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi).

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According to the communiqué signed by the Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi,  both parties agreed that “Night grazing should be banned henceforth.

“Under age herding is Inimical to security and hence be banned

“Occupation of State Forest Reserves illegally is condemned.

“That free range grazing must be stopped to avoid conflicts between farmers and  the herders.

“We must create economic opportunities for our people and reduce opportunities fr criminalities in our country.”

Also, in a statement after the meeting, Makinde said the governor agreed to continue to lend their support to the security agencies.

He said, “Today, the SW governors held a security stakeholders’ meeting in Ondo State. The meeting was attended by our brother governors from Kebbi and Jigawa States; security chiefs, SW zone led by the AIG Zone 11 and leaders from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.

“Collectively, we resolved to ban open grazing in all parts of the south west. In Oyo State, we already have a law against open grazing which will continue to be implemented by our security agencies.”