By Olorunfemi Adejuyigbe, IBADAN
Governors in the southwest and the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), rose from a peace meeting on Monday in Akure and unanimously agreed to ban night grazing as well as underage grazing in the geopolitical.
The meeting was sequel to a seven-day ultimatum given by Ondo state Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to Fulani herders to vacate the State’s Forest Reserves.
Prompt News reports that the people of Igangan in Ibarapa local government of Oyo state had also attacked the Sarki Fulani in Igangan, following expiration of a quit notice handed down to the Fulani community in the area by Sunday Igboho.
The peace meeting was attended by southwest Governors Rotimi Akeredolu, Kayode Fayemi and Gboyega Oyetola of Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states.
On the side of the north while GovMohammed Badaru (Jigawa), and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and the national leadership of MACBAN, resolved as follows:
Security agencies have been trying to stem the tide of criminality in the country but must step up their efforts in the fight.
There is the need to build 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 organization which does not habour or condone criminals and agreed that:
(i) Night grazing should be banned henceforth
(ii) Under age herding is Inimical to security and hence be banned
(iii) Occupation of State Forest Reserves illegally is condemned.
MACBAN also suffers insecurity and kidnapping and thus desire peaceful coexistence.
MACBAN is ready for any peaceful move by the states to engender security.
Fake news is another issue that makes our security worse than solving it.
There must be an enduring framework with MACBAN in a way that will help address security issues.
That free range grazing must be stopped to avoid conflicts between the farmers and the herders.
Strengthening an alternative security arrangements and make them complementary to the mainstream security agencies in Nigeria.
MACBAN should embrace and be committed to modern breeding process by creating grazing reserves and practice 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 criminals in our country.”
