The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has banned the use of child herders and night grazing in Kwara State, aligning with similar measures adopted in other states to foster peace and mutual understanding.
Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, the National President of MACBAN, disclosed this in Ilorin during the inauguration of the association's new executive council, elected by consensus to serve for the next four years.
He underscored the importance of peaceful coexistence between farmers and pastoralists in Kwara, urging the new leadership to promote harmony.
"We have instructed our members, including the newly elected executives, to ensure that pastoralists and farmers maintain a mutual understanding in the state.
"No one should trespass on farmland, and children should not be used to graze cattle at night. This is unacceptable," Othman-Ngelzarma stated.
He further warned that night grazing is often a deliberate attempt to provoke conflict, adding, "We do not support this practice. If anyone is found engaging in it, we will hand them over to security agencies for appropriate action. Just as cattle are precious to pastoralists, crops are equally valuable to farmers."
The MACBAN president praised the establishment of a Ministry of Livestock by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, describing it as a long-awaited development that, if managed properly, could revolutionize Nigeria's economy, reduce import dependency, and save over $2 billion.
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On the issue of national security, Othman-Ngelzarma noted the complexities of the current situation, including the rise of kidnapping and banditry.
He called for a collective effort to address these challenges, noting that both pastoralists and farmers suffer from the effects of crime.
"Criminality knows no boundaries, and all perpetrators should be treated equally. It is essential for all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, security agencies, non-state actors, and the media, to come together and contribute their perspectives to find a solution," he said.
Hon. Muhammad Abdullahi Seriki, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Community Relations (Fulani), emphasised the inseparable relationship between cattle herders and farmers while acknowledging the presence of elements inciting tensions between the two groups.
