Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state has outlawed cattle grazing in Ekiti state. The governor did this in reaction to the murder of two people by suspected Fulani Herdsmen.
The governor has also in the process made history as he is the first Executive governor to do this. He said that a bill to effect the banning of grazing would soon be sent to the house of Assembly of the state.
Governor Fayose said this while he visited Oke-Ako in Ikole local government area of Ekiti where the murders and unrest were said to have taken place. He also said that any cattle caught outside the stable or ranch in which they are kept would be confiscated.
According to news agency Premium Times, the governor said, “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 ranch.
“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 House of Assembly for passage into law to criminalise cattle owners whose cattle are found moving from one location the other in the State.
“If President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the patron of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has refused to call the herdsmen to order, 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 in Saki, Oke Ogun Area of Oyo State such that he, as a private citizen led Arewa to Ibadan on October 13, 2000, to confront the then Governor of Oyo State, late Alhaji Lam Adesina is now keeping silent when the same herdsmen are killing our people, we must rise and defend ourselves.”