Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) on Monday resolved to put an end to free-range grazing and night grazing.
These resolutions were reached at a meeting of governors with MACBAN leadership and security agencies on “the emerging security challenges in the Southwest”. The meeting was held in Ondo, Akure, the state capital.
The meeting came after the expiration on Monday of the order given by Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for herders to register or vacate the state’s forest reserves.
Chairman of the NGF Dr. Kayode Fayemi presided over the meeting attended also by the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Alhaji Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi State), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Alhaji Abdulkadir Badaru (Jigawa).
The MACBAN team was led by the National President, Alhaji Muhammadu Kirowa. Security chiefs at the meeting were led by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 11, Olufemi Agunbiade.
A part of the communiqué reads: “That free-range grazing must be stopped to avoid conflicts between farmers and herders.
“Strengthening alternative security arrangements and making them complementary to the mainstream security agencies in Nigeria should be encouraged.
“MACBAN should embrace and be committed to modern breeding process by creating grazing reserves and practicing ranching to prevent cattle roaming about.”
