Ekiti government outlaws free grazing

•Law okays terrorism charge for armed herdsmen
•Group wants culprits of Nimbo massacre prosecuted

Henceforth, any herdsman caught with arms or dangerous weapons in Ekiti State is to be tried for terrorism.Besides, it is now a crime to move cattle around the state as culprits face a six-month imprisonment without an option of fine.

The above formed the kernel of the “Ekiti State Open Grazing Prohibition Bill” signed into law yesterday by Governor Ayodele Fayose in the presence of over 3,000 traditional chiefs at a meeting in Ado-Ekiti.

He explained that the gathering was to interface with them on security issues, especially the position of government on free grazing.His words: “My government took the bill to the House after what happened in Oke-Ako some months ago. The legislature has passed the bill and I have to assent and it becomes a law from today. If you do anything to the contrary, you will be punished by the law.

“Any herdsman caught with firearms or any weapon while grazing in Ekiti will be charged with terrorism. “I solicit for your support for this government to succeed. This is not about party politics and Ekiti should be our primary concern.” On the occasion, the speaker of the legislature, Kolawole Oluwawole, said government was making land available for grazing in all local councils.

He added: “Grazing activities at designated areas must be between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on a daily basis. The government shall allot certain portion of land to each local government for grazing. Anyone caught grazing on portions of land or any farmland not allotted by government shall be apprehended and made to face the law.”

Meanwhile, a group, Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), yesterday demanded prosecution of the masterminds of the April 25 killing of people and destruction of property at Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo Uwani Local Council of Enugu State.

The police had about three months ago paraded five persons in connection with the massacre.Speaking against the backdrop of last week’s attack at Ndiagu Attakwu community in Nkanu West Council of the state which left two dead, CRRAN contended that the attacks were subsisting because the police failed to prosecute the culprits of the earlier mayhem. The group, therefore, petitioned the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, through its president, Olu Omotayo.