Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Nasarawa State has vowed to sanction any herdsman caught grazing in farmlands across the state.
The State Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Mohammed Hussaini, gave the warning on Wednesday in Garaku after the inauguration of the newly elected officials of Kokona Local Government Area (LGA) branch of the association.
Hussaini urged branch chairmen of MACBAN in all the council areas to set up peace committees, with a view to curtailing the series of conflicts between herdsmen and farmers in their domains, while sanctioning erring members.
He bemoaned the attitude of some herdsmen who intentionally shepherded their cattle to farmlands for grazing, warning that herdsmen who perpetrated such acts would henceforth be sanctioned.
“We will set up a committee that will look into the cases of herdsmen that destroy crops intentionally and those who destroy crops will be brought to book by the grace of God.
“I want to advise the new officials to constitute a committee to address the incessant crises between farmers and herdsmen in the interest of peace and national development.
“Constituting the committee will go a long way in solving controversies between farmers and herdsmen, so as to boost food production and the socio-economic development of this area and Nasarawa State at large,” he said.
Hussaini urged the new officials of the association to brace up to the challenges induced by cattle grazing in farmlands in order to foster cordial relations between farmers and herdsmen.
He appealed to farmers and herdsmen to always seek ways of resolving their disputes peacefully so as to engender the socio-economic growth of the state.
He also called on all Nigerians to be law-abiding, while respecting constituted authorities and shunning negative tendencies to promote peace in the society.
The state MACBAN chairman reiterated the association’s commitment to supporting ongoing efforts to promote peace and initiate good policies which would impact positively on the lives of all Nigerians.
Responding on behalf of the new officials, Mr Umar Waziri, Chairman of Kokona LGA branch of MACBAN, pledged to address the problems between farmers and herdsmen so as to ensure their peaceful co-existence.
He commended the members of the association for electing them and promised that they would be just and fair while discharging their duties.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the other elected officers are Saleh Musa (Vice-Chairman), Mohammed Abdullahi (Treasurer), Yahaya Adamu (Youth Leader) and Usman Mohammed (Financial Secretary).