Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, on
Wednesday, mediated in the constant
clashes between Fulani herdsmen and
farmers in the state.
During a town hall meeting with farmers,
herdsmen and other stakeholders at the
state secretariat in Ibadan, Ajimobi warned
all the parties involved not to go against
the law as offenders would be arrested
and prosecuted.
While calling on herdsmen not to graze on
farmlands or attack their hosts, the
governor also warned farmers not to
poison crops or water with the aim of
killing herdsmen’s cows.
Present at the meeting, which was
organised by the Oyo State Commissioner
of Police, Leye Oyebade, were monarchs of
agrarian communities of the state, farmers’
representatives, heads of Fulani
communities and other stakeholders.
The governor said, “There is the need to
form committees that would discuss
regularly, issues concerning the
relationship between host communities and
herdsmen.
If there is a regular interaction
between them, we will succeed in solving
many of the problems that have been
identified. I want each of the committees
to meet once in a month.
“Animals will eat wherever they find food
but we must agree on where the cows will
graze. It is not possible for herdsmen to
graze their cattle on farmlands. We will not
allow that. We will create a path where the
cattle must be taken through to graze.
“If by mistake the cattle strayed and eat
farm products, the owners must be ready
to pay compensation to the farmers
concerned. We must agree on one fact
that farmers and herdsmen know
themselves.
Ajimobi said the establishment of ranches
by his administration was under way.
In his contribution, the Sabiganna of
Iganna land, Oba Saliu Oyemonla, thanked
the governor for his interest in finding a
solution to the constant clashes between
farmers and herdsmen.
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