Government Bans Open Grazing in South West Nigeria

Gbenro Adesina

South West Governors today agreed to ban all forms of open grazing, free range grazing and Fulani residing in the forest reserves in the region.

Governor Seyi Makinde, who revealed this, said that the decision was taken at a security stakeholders meeting held in Akure, Ondo State, adding that governors from the Northern part of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) also endorsed the decision.

In attendance were security operatives and other notable personalities within and outside the South West.

Makinde said, “Today, the south west governors held a security stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, Ondo State. The meeting was attended by our brother governors from Kebbi and Jigawa States, security chiefs in the SW zone led by the AIG Zone 11 and leaders from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

“Collectively, we resolved to ban open grazing in all parts of the South West. In Oyo State, we already have a law against open grazing, which will continue to be implemented by our security agencies.

“I restated that we will not permit criminality as a response to criminal actions. Instead, we will continue to support our security agencies to do their duties. Also, we will work with our people to face our common enemies – the criminals; kidnappers, armed robbers and bandits”.

Some of the governors in attendance include Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Mohammed Abubakar of Jigawa State, and Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State.