The Ondo State government has banned the activities of the Fulani nomadic herdsmen grazing cattle within the capital city of Akure, SaharaReporters reports.
Ondo State Commissioner for Environment Sola Ebiseni made the disclosure in Akure at a stakeholder meeting to deliberate on the constant clashes between farmers and the Fulani herdsmen in Ondo State.
Ebiseni said the State government had already given the Fulani herdsmen a one week ultimatum to evacuate their cattle from the main town of Akure.
He declared that any Fulani nomadic herdsman grazing cattle at night would also be considered thieves and handed over to the law enforcement agencies.
“We don’t want to see the Fulani herdsmen grazing cattle within the streets of Akure, the State capital,” Mr. Ebiseni said. “Animals are not reared on the road in our own towns. They are allowed in the outskirts of the town.”
“The team is also saddled with the responsibility of dealing decisively with any erring cattle rearers that would flout such order from the State government,” our correspondent reported.
Additionally, the State government resolved that cattle dealers and marketers should register as an association or body with proof of identification. The government claimed that this would help identify cattle rearers who incite trouble and violence.
Among the other major areas forbidden for Fulani herdsmen to graze their cattle in the State included: Oba ile Road, Ode-ilekun Road, Barracks/Ondo Road, Airport/Owo Road, Adofure/Idanre Road, including all permanent residential estates.
During the meeting, Akin Olotu, an environmental activist and chairman of the Agricultural Commodities Association in Ondo State, called for a proper synergy between the States in the federation and the federal government in establishing cattle ranches for the benefit of Fulani nomadic herdsmen.
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