Fulani herdsmen attack Fayose over anti-grazing law

– Fulani herdsmen have reacted to the recently signed anti-grazing bill prohibiting herdsmen carrying weapons and moving cattle in Ekiti state

– The herders refuse to obey the law, claiming no one can be charged for terrorism for carrying cutlasses, catapults and knives during the grazing period

Ekiti-based Fulani herdsmen from Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, under the auspices of Jamu Nate Fulbe Association of Nigeria have rejected the new grazing law signed by Governor Ayodele Fayose.

The legal adviser to the herdsmen, Mr. Umar Imam, has stressed the legality of carrying light weapons such as cutlasses, knives, catapult and arrows, referring to the terrorism prevention act of 2011.

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Recall that the law titled “Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing in Ekiti, 2016″ provides that grazing activities must be from 7am to 6pm on a daily basis, while carrying lesser arms would be treated as acts of terrorism.

Mr. Umar Imam, commented on the law this Wednesday: “The law of the federation on terrorism is very clear and no one can be charged for terrorism for carrying lesser arms like cutlasses, catapults and knives during the grazing period as contained in the Ekiti new law.

I have made it in my submission during the public hearing on the bill in the Ekiti State House of Assembly that these Fulani herdsmen used to use these lesser weapons for certain purposes that can make grazing easier.

I also told them that movement at night while relocating from one place to another was to ensure that they don’t wreak havoc on the people during the day while relocating to other towns. I expected the state government to have taken care of these in the new law rather than total banning. 

What the state government ought to have done is to allow whoever wants to relocate at night to take permit from a certain government’s authority or inform their Seriki (their leader), but banning them from moving at night may not help the situation, it will make their job difficult.

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We agree with the governor on the grazing period of between 7am and 6pm, but we should be allowed to carry lesser arms and relocate at night.

How can somebody who wants to carry his cattle numbering hundreds from Ekiti to places like Lokoja, Ibadan or Ilorin moves during the day? These places are densely populated and it will create traffic congestion and confusion everywhere. The government must look into all these.”

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