Edo State in South-South Nigeria now has an Anti-Open Grazing Law in place to check farmers-herders clashes, reduce incidents of banditry to the barest minimum, curb kidnapping and other criminal activities which threaten the safety of lives and properties as well as the people’s means of livelihood.
This was made known by Governor Godwin Obaseki at an expanded security meeting with relevant key players in Edo North and Edo Central Senatorial Districts of the State.
Worried about the incidents of kidnapping, banditry and other crimes in Edo State, Governor Obaseki held a meeting with relevant key players from the six local government areas in Edo North Senatorial District.
He acknowledged that drastic steps must be taken to curb the trend and insisted on the removal of illegal occupants of forests in the state.
The Commander, 4 Brigade of Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Sani Abdullahi encouraged the strengthening of local security to tackle the incidents headlong but cautioned against the stereotype that a particular tribe was to blame for the atrocities.
Some of the traditional rulers commended the State Government and called for sustained synergy between the security agencies, local vigilantes and hunters.
From there, the entourage proceeded to Irrua in Edo Central Senatorial District where Governor Obaseki met with stakeholders from the five local government areas that make up the district. He says Edo State now has an Anti-Opening Grazing Law in place.
The traditional rulers in the localities noted that they have started bush combing and taking other steps needed to safeguard their communities. Commissioner of Police Abutu Yaro commended their efforts.
Other measures to be taken to reduce crime and criminality in the State include the dislodgment of squatters in uncompleted buildings, closure of illegal and unregistered markets, registration of all tricycles and motorcycles by the local council authorities, immediate registration and profiling of all vigilante and hunter groups as well as follow up trainings for group leaders to be commenced in August 2022.
(Terverr Tyav)
