Tobias Sylvester
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has reacted to an order by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu that herdsmen should vacate the forest reserves in Ondo State.
KanyiDaily recalls that Governor Akeredolu had on Monday given herdsmen seven days ultimatum to vacate all forest reserves due to the high rate of kidnapping in the state.
Akeredolu said as the Chief Law and Security Officer of the state, it was his constitutional responsibility to do everything lawful to protect the lives and property of all Ondo residents.
Raecting to the ultimatum while speaking with The PUNCH on Monday evening, the MACBAN Secretary-General, Usman Baba-Ngelzerma, said his members also attended a meeting with Akeredolu but all that was discussed was putting a stop to night grazing and use of underage boys to graze cattle.
Baba-Ngelzerma, however, said that if the vacation order was true, it would only be right for the state government to provide an alternative for the herders to graze.
“The governor had a two-hour meeting today and the chairman of MACBAN in Ondo State was there and what he told me was that the agreement they reached was that we should stop night grazing and stop allowing cows to graze around government properties and that we should cooperate with Amotekun and help fish out bad eggs among them.
“That is what we were told. There was no discussion about vacating. But if they asked them to vacate the forest reserves, have they provided an alternative for them to graze? Where will they graze if they leave the forest reserves?
“As it is now, we are not aware of any order to vacate. My chairman is not aware. Even I just read about it in the media. When we have confirmed, we will know what to do.”
Baba-Ngelzerma further said Nigerians must be aware of the fact that not all herdsmen are members of Miyetti Allah.
KanyiDaily recalls that the Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide (YCYW) had also issued seven days quit notice to all Fulani Herdsmen in South West region of the country.
