Enugu Bans Rearing of Cattle at Night

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

In a bid to avert bloody clashes between herdsmen and local farmers, Enugu state government has banned grazing and rearing of cattle at night.

Also banned are the carrying of firearms or any form of ammunition by the herdsmen and movement of cattle from one location to another at night in the state.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi announced the ban during a meeting he held with leaders of Fulani/Shuwa Arab herdsmen in the state.

Another far reaching decision taken during the crucial meeting on Monday was the setting up of a peace committee made up of
representatives of the various interest groups from the Fulani\Shuwa Arab Community in the state, government representatives as well as
security agencies.

During the meeting convened by Gov. Ugwuanyi, also attended by leaders of some communities affected by the menace of the herdsmen in the state, it was also decided that compensation will be paid by herdsmen whose cattle destroy farm crops while the communities will pay for any cattle killed by their members.

The governor had convened the meeting in furtherance of ongoing efforts of the state government to find a lasting solution to the
lingering clashes between Fulani herdsmen and their host communities, especially in the wake of the recent Nimbo killings.

It was also decided that violators of these resolutions will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Addressing the meeting which held at the Government House, Enugu, Gov Ugwuanyi sued for peace among all residents of the state even as he regretted the recent attacks by the herdsmen.