The Ekiti State government, South-West, Nigeria in a bid to avert farmers-herders clash in the state has announced the immediate establishment of Ranches for herdsmen in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Akin Omole, stated this in a statement. He said Ekiti is ready to key into ranching as a viable solution to stem the increasing wave of killings and kidnapping by herders in the state.
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He said, “Following Governor Fayemi’s condolence and fact-finding visit to the affected community on Sunday, and based on the intelligence available to us, it is clear that the Ikole/Oye axis of the state is vulnerable to incursions of criminally-minded elements who want to take advantage of the forest topography to visit unmitigated terror on farming communities in the area. We will not allow this to happen.
“We reiterate that in consonance with the recent Akure peace meeting and joint communiqué issued between Southwest Governors and the Miyetti Allah, open/night grazing and underage herding remain banned in Ekiti State.
“The state is also making alternative arrangements for enclosed grazing/ranching under the National Livestock Transformation Plan in the state.
“The Government of Ekiti State places great value on the safety of lives and property of its residents. While we will continue to promote the peaceful coexistence of all law-abiding Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious background, the government will not condone acts of mindless violence that creates fear amongst our people or deter them from going about their lawful duties in safety on their farms or in their communities.”
He said the government remains committed to the resolution of the peace parley between the Southwest governors and leadership of Miyetti Allah in Akure, the Ondo State capital banning night, open and underage grazing in the state.
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