Yobe cautions against encroachment on demarcated cattle routes

The Yobe State Government has warned farmers against encroaching into the demarcated 1, 000 kilometres of cattle routes to prevent clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state.

Manager of the Yobe State Livestock Development Programme, Mustapha Gaidam, gave the warning yesterday in Damaturu while briefing journalists on measures to prevent clashes between herdsmen and farmers over pasture and water points.

He said cattle breeders have been cautioned on moving out of the demarcated routes to feed their livestock on farmers’ fields and orchards.

His words: “This warning is inevitable in view of reported activities of some farmers encroaching into cattle routes.

“Although, it may be an isolated case, we are not taking chances to safeguard the cattle routes and promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herdsmen in the state.”

He said the routes were demarcated to ease movement of livestock and avoid trespassing on farmlands and orchards.

He added that the state government has constructed boreholes and water points along the routes to serve the cattle with potable water.

“We have commissioned three new boreholes and water points at
Alkwaya, Zoto and Dazigau villages on the 130km Damaturu-Dazigau cattle route to avoid cattle trespassing farmlands.

“Government invested in the project to promote a secure
environment among farmers and herdsmen and this must be respected, protected and promoted by all stakeholders,” Gaidam added.