Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has given herders seven days to vacate the state’s forest reserves.
The governor also gave a “grace period” of seven days for those who wish to carry on with their cattle-rearing business in the state to register with appropriate authorities.
Announcing the measures, Akeredolu said “Today we have taken major steps at addressing the root cause of kidnapping, in particular, and other nefarious activities detailed and documented in security reports, the press and debriefings from victims of kidnap cases in Ondo State.
“These unfortunate incidents are traceable to the activities of some bad elements masquerading as herdsmen. These felons have turned our forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating for ransom and carrying out other criminal activities.
“As the Chief Law and Security Officer of the State, it is my constitutional obligation to do everything lawful to protect the lives and property of all residents of the State. In light of the foregoing, the following orders are hereby issued:
1. All Forest Reserves in the State are to be vacated by herdsmen within the next 7 days with effect from today, Monday 18th January, 2021.
2. Night-grazing is banned with immediate effect because most farm destruction takes place at night.
3. Movement of cattle within cities and highways is prohibited.
4. Under-aged grazing of cattle is outlawed.
“Our resolution to guarantee safety of lives and property within the State shall remain utmost as security agencies have been directed to enforce the ban.
“In its usual magnanimity, our administration will give a grace period of seven days for those who wish to carry on with their cattle-rearing business to register with appropriate authorities.”
Meanwhile, reactions have started trailing the Ondo governor’s decision
Reacting, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) said the agreement it had with the Ondo government did not include forest reserves.
“We jointly agreed to stop allowing minors to graze cows. And we jointly stopped night grazing. But that was what was emphasised by the governor,” MACBAN National Secretary, Baba Usman told Sahara Reporters.
“Nothing like forest reserves; the chairman told me that the governor asked them to stop grazing around towns and schools; they should go to the forests and graze. They should not allow small boys to graze because that is what is causing problems. So, it is not true that he asked Fulani men to leave Ondo State. It is not true,” he added.
Also reacting, a researcher Gbolahan Gbadamosi, reminded Governor Akeredolu that “Nigeria is still one country guided by a constitution that allows free movement of citizens.”
