South-West governors, Miyetti Allah agree to ban open, underage grazing

26 Jan South-West governors, Miyetti Allah agree to ban open, 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 South-west.

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

A part of the communiqué reads: “That free-range grazing must be stopped to avoid conflicts between farmers and herders.

“Strengthening alternative security arrangements and making them complementary to the mainstream security agencies in Nigeria should be encouraged.

“MACBAN should embrace and be committed to modern breeding process by creating grazing reserves and practicing ranching to prevent cattle roaming about.

“Standing committee comprising of farmers, MACBAN and the government should be set up in each state (where they don’t exist) to ensure synergy and result.

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

“The order of the Ondo State governor was misconstrued and misrepresented by a section of the media. He only ordered those occupying the forest reserves in Ondo State illegally to quit.

“The meeting agreed that criminals should be apprehended and punished, no matter their origin, class, or status, and that security agencies … must step up their efforts in the fight.

“There is the need to build a partnership for peace and security with MACBAN and jointly wage war against criminality.

“No one had sent anyone away from any state or region but all hands must be on deck to fight criminality.

“MACBAN is a peace-loving, law-abiding organisation which does not habour or condone criminals.”

The governors and the association pledged commitment to the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria. They described insecurity as a national challenge that it is not peculiar to any tribe or region.

The meeting also agreed that “underage herding be banned” because it “is inimical to security.” It agreed that occupation of the  Ondo State forest reserves is illegal and condemnable.