BY PHILIP JEREMIAH EKE
The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has declared that the full weight of the law will be enforced against anyone who violates the state’s Anti-Grazing Law to ensure the continued protection of lives and property.
This statement followed a recent attack on youths in Amarata, Yenagoa Local Government Area, allegedly by Fulani herdsmen.
The attack occurred after a group of youths confronted the herdsmen in the bush, following allegations that they had raped a woman on her farm.
However, the armed herdsmen overpowered the youths, leaving some of them with machete wounds.
Governor Diri, represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made this statement during an interactive meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa.
The meeting was attended by local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and other community leaders from six local government areas currently facing similar security threats.
He emphasised that the state’s Anti-Grazing Law was enacted to prevent violent clashes between herders and farmland owners, which have led to the destruction of lives and property in various parts of the country.
Condemning the recent attacks allegedly carried out by herdsmen, Governor Diri recalled that about two weeks ago, a woman from Amarata in Yenagoa, the state capital, was raped by cattle rearers on her farm, while another victim was reportedly killed in Ogbia.
He reiterated his directive to traditional rulers and local government chairmen to take full responsibility for their domains and ensure the enforcement of the Anti-Grazing Law to maintain peace and stability.
He also called on youths, particularly youth presidents, community development committees (CDC), and women leaders, to remain vigilant and report any security threats to the appropriate authorities.
He further instructed all local government chairmen to form enforcement committees and submit the list of members to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government within three days.
Diri stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that the state was in a semi-emergency and needed to act accordingly.
He warned that paramount rulers who fail to monitor and report security breaches in their communities would be held accountable, adding that those found negligent would be invited by the police.
Diri criticised youth leaders for focusing on collecting development levies, while failing to confront security threats, describing such behaviour as cowardly and unacceptable.
The governor reminded all present that the Anti-Grazing Law remains in force in Bayelsa and that despite his peace-loving nature, he would not allow Ijaw land to be overrun by herdsmen.
According to him, no part of Ijaw land had ever been conquered and that it was the duty of the present generation to protect and preserve the land for future generations.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, emphasised the need for effective collaboration between communities, clans, and the state government to address the issue and reiterated that open grazing was prohibited in Bayelsa.
Adding to the discussion, the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo and the Paramount Ruler of Igbogene Community, Prof. Augustine Ekein, urged the government to take proactive measures by strengthening security at the entry points used by herdsmen and their cattle.
