TheCable

The Ondo state government and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have agreed to jointly wage a “war against criminality”.

Both sides reached the agreement during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, capital of the state, on Monday.

Governors from the south-west and some of their counterparts from the north attended the meeting, which also had Miyetti Allah leaders in attendance.

The meeting took place following the heated exchange between northern and southern stakeholders as a result of the vacation order Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, gave to herders operating illegally in the state’s forest reserves.

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, had said it was wrong for Akeredolu to blame the high level of insecurity in his state on herders.

But Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of Afenifere, pan-Yoruba socio-political group, accused the presidency of defending herders rather than preferring solution to insecurity.

Other groups also issued statements on the issue, which sparked tension in the country.

However, at the meeting of Monday, Akeredolu said he was misconstrued on the directive to herders.

“Following the Executive Order of the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwaratim Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, to the Fulani Herdsmen illegally occupying the State Forest Reserves to vacate within seven days With effect from Monday 18″ January, 2021, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum led by its Chairman, Dr. Kayode Fayemi met with the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), security agencies and other stakeholders on 25th January, 2021,” read a communique issued after the meeting.

“Meeting discussed vigorously and resolved that:

“The security and welfare of the people of Nigeria is the primary purpose of Government as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended.

“The stakeholders are committed to the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria. Insecurity is a national challenge and not peculiar to any tribe or region but must be addressed by the cooperation of all.

“The order of the Ondo State Governor was misconstrued and misrepresented by a section of the media. He only ordered those occupying the Forest Reserves in Ondo State illegally to quit.

“Criminals should be apprehended and punished, no matter their origin, class or status. Security agencies have been trying to stem the tide of criminality in the country but must step up their efforts in the fight.

“There is the need to build partnership for peace and security with MACBAN and jointly wage war against criminality.

“No one had sent anyone away from any state or region but all hands must be on deck to fight criminality.”

At the meeting, both parties also agreed to ban night grazing and underage herding.