Headlines
South West governors ban open grazing of cattle
BY NICHOLAS ABE
The south west governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states have resolved to ban open grazing of cattle, as part of measure to check insecurity in their region.
The decision was reached on Monday when the governors met with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), some governors from the north and security chiefs, following outbreak of violence in some parts of the region at the weekend and the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum by the governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, to cattle herders to leave the state forest reserve.
READ: South East Governors ban armed herdsmen, movement of cattle on foot across states
In attendance at the meeting were Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Mohammed Abubakar of Jigawa State, and Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State.
Governor Makinde announced the governors’ decision on his Twitter handle, saying: “Today, the South West governors held a security stakeholders’ meeting in Ondo State. The meeting was attended by our brother governors from Kebbi and Jigawa States; security chiefs, South West zone led by the AIG Zone 11 and leaders from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.
READ: Miyetti Allah defies Akeredolu’s quit notice to herdsmen
“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.
“I restated that we will not permit criminality as a response to criminal actions. Instead, we will continue to support our security agencies to do their duties. Also, we will work with our people to face our common enemies – the criminals; kidnappers, armed robbers and bandits.”