Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State has finally sent 24 copies of the anti-open grazing bill to the state Assembly for consideration and possible passage into law.
This action comes at a time tension has risen due to onslaught of marauding Fulani herdsmen in Edo State.
Not less than six communities have been sacked in Ovia North East Local Government Area, where cocoa and cassava farms have been razed down by suspected herdsmen. There are reports also of some fatalities amongst famers in Okokhuo and environs.
Also, residents of Abudu in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the State have cried out to government to save them from the deadly Fulani herdsmen who they accused of killings and rapping their women on regular basis.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Marcus Onobun announced last Tuesday February 15, 2022, that the bill had been slated for consideration on a later date to give room for more consultations and recommendations by members.
It has been christianed, “A bill for a law to prohibit open grazing of cattle and other livestock in the state.”
While speaking during the plenary on the bill, the Speaker noted that the bill has been receiving inputs from members and different stakeholders.
The Governor has come under pressure from stakeholders and community leaders to promote the anti-grazing law, including a protest by inhabitants from selected communities in Ovia North East Local Government Area. However, he argued that the bill alone wasn’t enough to curb the activities of herdsmen, rather, a convergence of action.
He however assured that government was working on a bill that would be sent to the State House of Assembly for consideration.
Several states in the South of Nigeria have enacted the law but this has failed to curb the activities of herdsmen and other criminals involved in kidnapping, mureder, farm invasion and rapping of women and girls.