S/WEST: Miyetti Allah bans night, underaged grazing

THE vacation order issued by Governor Akeredolu to herdsmen in the state, scheduled to take effect on Monday, has been put on hold following some developments.

One of the developments is the agreement reached by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) with the Ondo State government that members of its association should henceforth stop night and underaged grazing.

The National Chairman of the Association, Alhaji Muhammadu Kiruwa, also directed  Fulani herders to desist from taking their cows to people’s farms for grazing, adding that the frequent farmers/herders clash must be brought to an end.

The banning will not just be in Ondo State but the entire South West.

The agreement was reached at a meeting attended by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, security agencies and other stakeholders on Monday.

Kiruwa noted that the order given by Governor Akeredolu was not new but has been issued two years ago, adding that those who wished to remain in the government forest reserve should get registered.

Speaking in a similar vein, MACBAN Southwest Zonal Chairman said the association was ready to abide by the rules and regulations of the government, saying that Governor Akeredolu never asked the Fulanis to leave Ondo State but to get registered if they are illegally occupying the government forest reserve.

He expressed their readiness to support the governors and the security agencies in bringing the criminals masquerading as herdsmen to justice.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting buttressed the agreement. It noted that MACBAN agreed that the twin activities of  night and underaged grazing are inimical to security and should be banned.

The communiqué read, “The security and welfare of the people of Nigeria are the primary purposes of government as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended.

“The stakeholders are committed to the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria. Insecurity is a national challenge and not peculiar to any tribe or region but must be addressed by the cooperation of all.

“The order of the Ondo State Governor was misconstrued and misrepresented by a section of the media. He only ordered those occupying the forest reserves in Ondo State illegally to quit.

“The criminals should be apprehended and punished, no matter their origin, class or status. 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. The MACBAN is a peace-loving, law-abiding organisation, which does not habour or condone criminals and agreed that: Night grazing should be banned henceforth. Under age herding is inimical to security and hence be banned . Occupation of state forest reserves illegally is condemned.

“The 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.”