Herdsmen/Farmers Clash: Nigerian Govt Bans Open Grazing

By Sunday Okobi

The Federal Government of Nigeria has finally banned the open grazing of cattle in the country to stem the growing anger sparked by the killings in Benue and other states saying all herdsmen must henceforth ranch their cattle.

The decision was taken at the end of a six-hour meeting of a federal government delegation, security agencies and five governors as well as the Minister of Interior, AbdulRahman Dambazau; Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh; Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), Abubakar Bello (Niger) and Nasir El Rufai (Kaduna).

Also at the meeting were Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Gana Muhammadu, Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Mammam Daura, among among others.

Presenting the communique after the meeting, Ortorm, accompanied by Ishaku, said that livestock farmers are to be enlightened on the benefits of keeping their animals in a location.

According to the Benue State governor, “The meeting noted that all animal farmers must ranch their cattle and livestock for better productivity.

“It also observed the existing synergy between the security agencies and between the states and the Federal Government.”

Ortom also said it was agreed at the meeting that Nigerians should desist from hate speeches that were fuelling the crisis.

He urged Nigerians to see it as a national challenge that demanded the efforts of all to be checked.

“As you can see all the governors of the states where we have the most challenging security problem are here,” Ortom said.

“We have dialogued; we have looked at the problem with the security chiefs and appreciated each other.

“One thing that is central is that we have agreed that killing in any form is not allowed; security men must apprehend and prosecute those responsible.

“There is no point politicising these killings; it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to eliminate the criminality that is resulting in the killings.”

 Ogbeh had earlier revealed that the federal government will establish cattle colonies across the country to curb increasing cases of clashes between farmers and herdsmen.