Miyetti Allah moves to end farmer-herder crisis in Kwara, bans child, night grazing

By Aishat Ibrahim

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kwara State branch, has announced a ban on the use of underage herders and night grazing in the state.

MACBAN’s National President, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, made the announcement during the inauguration of a new executive for the Kwara State chapter over the weekend in Ilorin.

Othman-Ngelzarma stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, urging the new executive to foster harmony.

“We have instructed our members and the new executive to ensure mutual understanding between pastoralists and farmers in Kwara State,” he said. “No one should trespass on farmland or allow underage boys to graze cattle at night. This is unacceptable.”

He further criticized night grazing as a provocative act, saying, “Anyone engaging in night grazing is intentionally stirring up trouble. We do not support this practice, and if we catch anyone involved, we will hand them over to the security agencies for appropriate action.”

Othman-Ngelzarma acknowledged the significance of both farmers’ and pastoralists’ livelihoods, stating, “We understand that a cow is as dear to a pastoralist as crops are to a farmer.”

The MACBAN president also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for establishing the Ministry of Livestock, which he believes will positively impact the economy.

“We have been advocating for this ministry for decades, and we appreciate President Tinubu for establishing it. If properly managed, it will transform the economy, attract foreign exchange, and save the country over $2 billion in importation costs,” he said.

Othman-Ngelzarma also addressed the increasing insecurity in the country, describing it as increasingly complex with criminal activities such as kidnapping and banditry.