Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Friday says state government ban on night-grazing still stands.
Obaseki disclosed this during a parley with the national leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and heads of security agencies in the state, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State capital.
According to him, the meeting was organised as part of the measures to engage stakeholders and exchange ideas to ensure peace, noting, “As a member of the committee of the National Economic Council led by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to deal with the issue, I know how sensitive the issue is and how it has led to the loss of lives and property in many states across the country.”
Replicating this in the state, the governor set up a security committee in the 18 local government councils in the state explaining that “The committee was made up of council chairmen, two leaders of the Hausa/Fulani community, Directorate of State Security, Divisional Police officers and two native farmers.”
“The committee will continue to meet monthly and report any incident in their areas to the committee at the state level,” he added.
Also to stem clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state, Obaseki approved a 40-day window request by the group to allow strangers in their midst to register with the state government.
In addition to sustaining peace, the state has resolved to identify herders and organise sensitisation programmes for them.
“With the structures in place, sensitisation programmes will be organised for the Hausa/Fulani herdsmen, farmers and other relevant stakeholders in different communities across the state. Through these, we hope to reduce the incidents of clashes between herders and farmers,” the governor added.
