The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has banned grazing and
rearing of cattle in the state, saying those interested in cattle
farming should get their own private cattle ranch.
The governor
also noted that a bill to make the movement of cattle from one location
to another criminal in the state would soon be sent to the State House
of Assembly. He said;
“We will not leave our lands for Fulani
herdsmen and in a system where the leadership of the country looks the
other way while our people are being killed, we will have no option than
to defend ourselves by whatever means.
“I have come here to commiserate with the people of Oke-Ako over the murder of two of our people by these evil Fulani herdsmen.
“I
am also here to assure that this will be the last time your community
will be invaded by Fulani herdsmen under whatever guise.
“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.”
“It is our duty to protect our people and we are going to do that without fear or favour.
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