The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has called on South-East Governors to enact laws restricting the movement of Fulani Herdsmen to ranches.
Ekweremadu asked the Governors to emulate the Ekiti state Governor, Ayo Fayose, who passed the Grazing Prohibition law recently.
According to the Deputy Senate President, laws like that will stop the loss of innocent lives in Igbo land.
He also suggested that the Federal Government can construct and lease ranches for use by the herdsmen, adding that it will produce healthy livestock.
Ekweremadu said “Governments of various states in Igbo land and indeed other parts of the country should immediately consider enacting legislation that confine cattle-rearing to modern ranches as obtainable in developed societies. In fact, our governments could go a step further to invest in constructing and leasing out modern ranches.
“This will produce healthier animals, give better products, provide employment, added value to the farm products, and help in promoting peaceful co-existence as well as sifting armed bandits and terrorists from real farmers doing legitimate business.
“Sadly, when you enact laws to checkmate the menace, as Ekiti State has commendably done, you will still rely on the same security institutions to enforce them. This is the dilemma.
“Therefore, our state governments should take further step by ensuring that such legislations provide for enforcement bodies, such as Forest Rangers, which will consistently comb the forests to ensure that those who run foul of the laws are arrested and speedily prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.”
The Deputy Senate President also condemned the attack carried out by Fulani herdsmen in At-takwu, Akagbe Ugwu community, Enugu State on Thursday, August 25, 2016.
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