Fayose grants ‘terror’ herdsmen amnesty

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has announced amnesty for four unnamed herdsmen, whom he had accused of terrorizing the people of the state.

He added that he would be willing to extend the amnesty to willing herdsmen, who would be ready to surrender their arms to security agencies in the state.

Fayose made the announcement at a peace meeting held on Monday at the Government House, Ado Ekiti.

The meeting had in attendance, a former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau who represented the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi II.

Others present were heads of security and law enforcement agencies, hunters, members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) farmers, vigilantes and grazing enforcement marshals.

Fayose had on several occasions called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare killer herdsmen terrorizing some parts of the country as terrorists, and that they should be treated as such.

According to Fayose, the reason for the meeting was to find peaceful means of resolving issues instead of beating the drums of war.

He said, “A criminal is one and should be so treated. Our interest is peace. As we are interested in the welfare of everybody and we must not allow criminal elements to go free. Our relationship goes beyond cows. We must respect each other and we will cooperate to achieve result. We want Ekiti to be a shining example and anybody that needs to be charged to court or fined will be so disciplined.”

The anti-grazing law of Ekiti State was applauded by the Emir of Kano and the national president of MACBAN, Alhaji Muhammadu Kiruwa.

Under the Ekiti grazing law, cattle grazing is prohibited from 6pm to 6am.

Sanusi, a member of the Board of Trustees of MACBAN, was represented by a former Kano State governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau – the Sardauna of Kano and some members of the Emirate Council.

Sanusi applauding the Ekiti grazing law, said that it was for the protection of herders, farmers and the host communities.

He said, “My mission is not politics and it is about peace and peaceful co-existence of our nation. I am standing in here for the Emir and I am the Sardauna of Kano. The Emir mandated me to come over here with the leadership of MACBAN and find out how we can work amicably.

“He feels that as a patron of the group he must ensure peace and lauded Governor Fayose for promoting peace.

“The law that Governor Fayose enacted is the best to defend the rights of farmers and cattle breeders. Whoever crosses the red line should be dealt with as the law provides. Breeders should obey the rules of the communities where they reside.

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“We have lived together for centuries, we have no cause at this time when unity is much desired, to end up in crisis. It is nothing new that grazing from sunset to dawn is forbidden. Our cattle rearers know this very well. This must be observed. Anyone who crosses the line must face the law.

“Criminal elements must be brought to book as there are criminals taking cover under certain ethnic groups to perpetrate crimes. This is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated.

“We will never want to be associated with any crisis or an association that is not for peace. For anyone who breaches the peace, we will be at the forefront to ensure that the law takes its course.”

Speaking, Kiruwa said, “I am really impressed with the governor for organising this meeting. Some state governors would just sit in their offices and not be proactive like Governor Fayose. Some misconceptions that I personally had against the governor have been cleared now.

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