The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has queried the decision of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu to order herdsmen out of the forest reserves in the State.
The State Governor on Monday gave herders seven days to vacate all forest reserves in the state due to the high rate of kidnapping in the state.
While speaking with The Punch, the Secretary-General of MACBAN, Usman Baba-Ngelzerma stated that members of the group had a meeting with Governor Akeredolu but all that was discussed was putting a stop to night grazing and the activities of child herders.
Baba-Ngelzerma who said he’s not aware of Akeredolu’s order, added that if such was made, it will be right for the state government to provide an alternative for the pastoralists as they will have no other place to graze.
He said;
“The governor had a two-hour meeting today and the chairman of MACBAN in Ondo State was there. He told me that the agreement they reached was that we should stop night grazing and stop allowing cows to graze around government properties and cooperate with Amotekun and help fish out bad eggs among them.
“That is what we were told. There was no discussion about vacating. But if they asked them to vacate the forest reserves, have they provided an alternative for them to graze? Where will they graze if they leave the forest reserves?
“As it is now, we are not aware of any order to vacate. My chairman is not aware of that. Even I just read about it in the media. When we have confirmed, we will know what to do.”
