Nelson A.Osuala[ 30 August 2016] 06:07AM
Not until recently, the cases of incessant killings and gruesome murders of innocent lives had skyrocketed in Nigeria, especially when such cases involve the dreaded Boko Haram insurgency and the now Fulani Herdsmen carefree Murders.
In a view to address and immediately arrest this negative bloodletting actions by the Herdsmen, the Governor of Ekiti State decided to go a step further to enshrine into Law that which prohibits such acts of murder of the innocence as perpetrated by the Fulanis, all in the guise of grazing livestock and self defence.
His Excellency, Gov. Ayodele Peter Fayose made history, yesterday for signing the Ekiti State Open Grazing Prohibition Bill into law.
The provisions of the law forbids herdsmen from grazing their cattle in areas that are not specifically designated for grazing livestock. It also forbids them from carrying firearms.
Defaulters would spend 6months behind bars as prescribed by the Law.
This imprisonment is without any option of fine for any herdsman who deliberately and with careless abandon, violate the grazing prohibition while those found with ammunitions will be charged with acts of terrorism.
Commenting on the new development in the state, the erstwhile Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode commended the Governor and asserted thus,
"I am proud of Gov. Ayo Fayose and the people of Ekiti state for signing into law legislation which bans grazing rights for the Fulani herdsmen in the state and which prevents them from carrying firearms.
By this bold and courageous act Fayose and the Ekiti State House of Assembly have saved many lives. Every governor in the south and the Middle Belt should find the courage to emulate them and do the same."
This is a welcomed development if you ask me as it would suffice in taming the incessant killings by the Herdsmen which has raised a National concern.
Nelson A.Osuala
Is a Blogger & the Associate Editor of negroidhaven.org
(Negroidhaven)
