Military Places Ban on Herdsmen, Cattle in Bauchi, Plateau

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Military task force deployed to restore peace in Plateau and parts of Bauchi State has placed ban on the movement of cattle and herdsmen after 7 p.m in all its areas of operation as part of efforts to restore peace in the states.

Commander of the task force, Major General Tagbo Ude, on Thursday issued the ban after a town hall meeting between various community leaders, village heads and Ardos of Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South and Mangu Local Government Areas in the state.

Ude also emphasised the need to live together peacefully, calling on all parties involved to consolidate on the hard earned peace the area has been enjoiyed in the resident timed. He also appealed to them to embrace peace that has returned to the communities.

He noted that he was not unaware that some internally displaced persons returned to their homes to meet that their lands had been sold off or were being illegally occupied.

“Due to the security challenges, a lot of people had left their homes but many returned to meet that their lands were either sold or were being occupied illegally.

“We are however happy that displaced persons in Lomak and Baka in Riyom have returned to meet their homes and lands intact,” he said.

The General commended the formation of a joint Berom and Fulani vigilante group in Barkin Ladi, which he said has helped to identify bad eggs within both communities, stressing that the strategy will be replicated in other communities.

The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breaders Association in the state, Muhammad Nura, said he was pleased with the ban on grazing after 7pm, adding that the group had also banned the use of minors to rear cattle. He added that the minors most often loose control over the cattle as they graze into farmlands.