LAGOS – Southwest Governors, Miyetti Allah and Security Chiefs have on Monday resolved that henceforth, night and free range grazing by the Fulani herdsmen in the region are banned over insecurity.

The resolutions was made during an emergency meeting held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (DOME), Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State to find lasting solutions to the incessant killings, kidnapping and crises between herdsmen and farmers in the Southwest geo-political zone of the country .

Following the Executive Order of the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwaratimi Odunayo Akeredolu to the Fulani Herdsmen illegaly occupying the State Forest Reserves to vacate within seven days With effect from Monday 18″ January, 2021, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum led by its Chairman, Dr. Kayode Fayemi met with the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), security agencies and other stakeholders on 25th January, 2021.

According to authoritative source, various issues concerning criminal activities allegedly committed by the Fulani herdsmen and others ills were vigorously discussed at the meeting, with a resolutions that the security and welfare of the people of Nigeria is the primary purpose of Government as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended.

Among the resolutions made at the meeting includes: that the stakeholders are committed to the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria, adding that Insecurity is a national challenge and not peculiar to any tribe or region but must be addressed by the cooperation of all.

The gathering declared that the order of the Ondo State Governor was misconstrued and misrepresented by a section of the media, “He only ordered those occupying the Forest Reserves in Ondo State illegally to quit”.

It resolved that criminals should be apprehended and punished, no matter their origin, class or status, urging security agencies that have been trying to stem the tide of criminality in the country to step up their efforts in the fight.

“There is the need to build partnership for peace and security with MACBAN and jointly wage war against criminality. No one had sent anyone away from any state or region but all hands must be on deck to fight criminality”.

MACBAN is a peace loving, law abiding organization which does not habour or condone criminals and agreed that, “Night grazing should be banned henceforth, Under age herding is Inimical to security and hence be banned and occupation of State Forest Reserves illegally is condemned.

The meeting noted that MACBAN also suffers insecurity and kidnapping and thus desire peaceful coexistence.

“MACBAN is ready for any peaceful move by the states to engender security. Fake news is another issue that makes our security worse than solving it.

“There must be an enduring framework with MACBAN in a way that will help address security issues. That free range grazing must be stopped to avoid conflicts between the farmers and the herders

Strengthening an alternative security arrangements and make them complementary to the mainstream security agencies in Nigeria.

MACBAN should embrace and be committed to modern breeding process by creating grazing reserves and practice ranching to prevent cattle roaming about.

Standing Committee comprising of farmers, MACBAN and the Government should be set up in each state (where they don’t exist) to ensure synergy and result.

“We must create economic opportunities for our people and reduce opportunities for criminalities in our country”, they resolved.