Anarchhy looms as Fayose urges residents to confront ‘terrorists’ herdsmen

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State on Tuesday called on the people of the state to be on alert and get ready to defend their land against bloodletting, extremists and destructing herdsmen.

The governor stated this in response to statements by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria to engage the state in a reprisal attack if alleged killings and arrest of their cattle by Governor Fayose’s recently inaugurated Ekiti Grazing Law Enforcement Marshals (EGEM) continues.

Miyetti Allah had in a statement on Saturday urged the Federal Government to intervene in the inauguration of the marshals, claiming they have shot five of their cows and warning that if nothing is done to stop them it may lead into “unquenchable inferno involving our members and Ekiti State government.”

But Fayose reacting on the matter, called on the people of the state to be vigilant against any attack by herdsmen.

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He said, “I am therefore using this opportunity to put Ekiti people, especially residents of border towns in the state on red alert. Ekiti people must be prepared to defend their land against these Philistines whose attributes and characters are extremism, violence, bloodshed and destruction.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Prohibition of Cattle and other Ruminants Grazing in Ekiti State Bill, 2016 that was signed into law on August 29, 2016 remains in force. Therefore, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria should rather tell its members to comply with this law by seeking for the government designated land for grazing ranch, which the government is always willing to give”.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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