Lebi Joseph, Akure.
The Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association of Nigeria,MACBAN has resolved to comply with anti open grazing law of the government of states in the southwest of Nigeria.
This resolution was reached at the palace of Seriki Fulani of Lagos state,Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar Bambado in Surulere area which was attended by state chairmen of MACBAN from Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun.
The southwest MACBAN chairmen unanimously agreed that to put a stop to clashes between farmers and herders pastoralists have to stop open grazing.
It was said that those that are causing problems are nomadic herders who have no permanent base and when they cause the trouble and run away the blame is directed at them that are known herders in their respective state of abode in the southwest.
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It was agreed also that the association will have to join hands with government in the southwest to fish out dissidents who are hiding under the disguise of herding to foment trouble and infringe peace of the people of their host communities.
The strongest accord reached at the closed door meeting was that to pit a stop to farmers herders clashes, there must be a total stop to indiscriminate movement of herds especially around farmlands.
According to the Seriki Fulani of Lagos state, Alhaji Bambado, peaceful coexistence with host communities is sacrosanct and must be achieved because that is the only way they can have time and peace of mind to do their business.
The chairman, MACBAN in Ondo state, Alhaji Garba Bello declared that he’s a lover of peace and can never support any act that can truncate the peace they have been enjoying in the southwest.
He said he has been living in Akure the Ondo state capital for over 30 years and everything he has worked for are situated in and around the community and therefore can never pray for trouble.
Speaking further, Alhaji Garba charged the people to desist from abhorring herders without consulting the office of MACBAN. He said no duly registered herdsmen will engage in act of criminality.
