The Federal Government of Nigeria has been urged to ban open grazing in order to bring an end to the bloody clashes between farmers and herders in the North.
The call was made by the Ologunba of Ogunba Kingdom and Egelu in Benin Republic, Oba Adul Wahab Adio Ogunji while speaking to newsmen on Saturday.
The monarch who noted that the ban on open grazing was been already adopted in Benin Republic, added that majority of Nigerians who went to Egelu, and Igana in the Republic of Benin in the wake of the Fulani herders’ attack on some communities in Yewa North and Imeko-Afon local government areas of Ogun State had gone back to their communities.
According to him 500 people sought refuge at Igana, while 300 stayed in Egelu during the wake of this year’s attack in Ogun State.
He noted that the few ones left in Egelu and Igana are those who lost their houses and all other means of livelihood during the attack.
While recalling that the clashes between farmers and herdsmen in Yewa communities started about twenty years ago, Oba Ogunji explained that 16 years ago, some communities in (Yewa) Nigeria and Benin Republic jointly filed a suit to challenge open grazing and put a stop to it, but due to power play, the case was thrown out, but the government of Benin Republic had to outlaw open grazing. I don’t know what is happening in Nigeria.
Speaking on the status of the ‘migrants’ who left Asa to seek refuge in Benin Republic, Oba Ogunji described their migration as ‘home coming’ claiming that all people living in Asa are from Egelu in Benin Republic.
He said, “though, Asa is in Nigeria on the map, but traditionally, it is a part of Egelu. Asa was once a market where farmers from Egelu used to sell their farm produce, but it was due to incessant attacks by Fulanis in the past that made all the farmers relocate from their different farm settlements to Asa and settle there”.
He recalled that the farmers/herders clashes normally occur between October and March, which is dry season.
He said this was because the herders would want to feed their cattle by all means, not minding the cost and negative effects on farmers.
The traditional ruler then appealed to Nigerian government to find lasting solution to the incessant and senseless killings of innocent people, as well as destruction of farms and farm produce by herders and their cattle.
He said, Nigerian government should emulate the government of Benin Republic by banning open grazing, stressing that the system is outdated.
