After signing peace pact with members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, yesterday released nine cows arrested for contravening the state’s anti-grazing law.
The cows were seized a couple of weeks ago by the Ekiti State Grazing Enforcement Marshals for contravening anti-grazing law.
The Miyetti Allah at the meeting signed a peace pact with the government, promising to co-exist peacefully with the farmers and residents of the state .
Fayose, at the meeting held in the government house with the leadership of Miyetti Allah in Ekiti and the south-west, traditional rulers and the Fulani community, said cattle breeders operating in Ekiti State must register with the traditional rulers of their host communities.
The free registration must, however, be done within the next 14 days after which the registered names would be forwarded to the state government for data keeping.
The event, which took place at the Government House grounds, had farmers, traditional rulers, state government officials, MACBAN leaders and members from across the South-West region in attendance.
Fayose, however, stated that he released the cows to cement the relationship between the government, farmers and the Fulani herdsmen in the state, warning that the 7am till 6pm grazing period stipulated in the law stands and that anyone who contravenes this will be dealt with.
Fayose said: “I have decided to release these cows to strengthen our union. So, I expect you to comply with the law because after now, if you contravene the law, we will take appropriate sanctions against you”.
The governor empowered the traditional rulers to enforce the grazing law in their domains and to apportion lands to herdsmen to do their businesses under a controlled situation.
