The Bayelsa State Government has donated 1,200 hectares of land to cattle rearers, popularly known as Fulani herdsmen, for grazing, ranching and slaughtering of their cattle in the state.
The state government had announced the restriction of the activities of herdsmen in the state to the Bayelsa Palm area in Yenagoa, the state capital, saying its decision was to prevent the invasion of farmlands and check any security breaches.
Governor Seriake Dickson, who reportedly issued the restriction order, had said the measure had become imperative in view of the recent upsurge in violence and criminal activities of some cattle rearers in some parts of Nigeria.
He had also warned cattle rearers against bearing arms in the course of grazing their livestock, threatening that anyone caught with weapons would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The State Chairman, Cattle Ranches Management and Control Committee, Mr. Shitu Mohammed, said at a news conference in Yenagoa on Saturday that the 1,200 hectares of land was for ranching, grazing and slaughtering of cattle.
During the interactive session which comprised stakeholders such as the herdsmen, butchers, farmers and security agencies, Mohammed said more ranches would be donated to the cattle rearers in the state.
Mohammed, who commended Governor Dickson and the Bayelsa State Government for releasing the land, said the gesture would help to sustain the lasting peace that had existed between herdsmen and farmers in the state.
He noted that the committee was set up by the state government to foster cordial relationship between cattle rearers, farmers and the people of Bayelsa State. Mohammed further noted that there were no cases of rape and killings by the herdsmen in Bayelsa, rationalising that the committee in collaboration with the state government and security agencies had put in place quick response mechanisms.
He called on Bayelsans to see the provision of the ranch by the state government as a welcome development, saying that the development would create job opportunities for the people and enhance tourism development.