Governor Ayo Fayose has banned grazing and the rearing of cattle in Ekiti state.
Fayose said those interested in rearing cattle should get their personal ranches for that purpose.
This is coming after two people were killed in a community in Ekiti, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
According to the governor, “We will not leave our lands for Fulani herdsmen and in a system where the leadership of the country looks the other way while our people are being killed, we will have no option but to defend ourselves by whatever means.
“I have come here to commiserate with the people of Oke Ako over the murder of two of our people by these evil Fulani herdsmen. I am also here to assure the people that this will be the last time your community will be invaded by Fulani herdsmen under whatever guise.
“I have directed that cattle rearing and grazing should stop in Ekiti State and those interested in cattle farming should henceforth do so in their own cattle ranches.”
He also added that “No more movement of cattle from one location to another in the state and any cattle seen anywhere in Ekiti State apart from the ranch created for them by their owners will be confiscated by the government and their owners will be prosecuted.
“A bill to this effect will be sent to the House of Assembly for passage into law to criminalise cattle owners whose cattle are found moving from one location to the other in the state.”
He also blamed President Buhari, who he referred to as the patron of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, for not calling his people to order.
The Ekiti Governor added that “We, in Ekiti will no longer harbour herdsmen who go about killing our people, destroying our farmlands and raping our women.
“If the same President Buhari that was so concerned about the killing of Fulani herdsmen in Saki, Oke Ogun area of Oyo State, such that he, as a private citizen, led Arewa (Consultative Forum) to Ibadan on October 13, 2000, to confront the then governor of Oyo State, the late Alhaji Lam Adesina, is now keeping silent when the same herdsmen are killing our people, we must rise and defend ourselves.
“It is our duty to protect our people and we are going to do that without fear or favour.”
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Segun Ade
May 24, 2016 at 10:56 am
I think that this is the first governor in Nigeria that is reasonable to do something about these menacing evil spirited people. He is courageous and most of these state governors are cowards and scared to do what is necessary to protect their own people.
More grace for this guy, may the lord strengthen him.