Grazing and rearing of cattle at night was yesterday banned in Enugu
State after a meeting between Gov ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and leaders of
Fulani/Shuwa Arab herdsmen in the state.
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.
Another far reaching decision taken during the crucial meeting
yesterday 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.
Present at the meeting were the secretary of the Fulani Community in
the state, Bala Ardo, the leader of the Fulani community, Alhaji Ado
Saidu Basu, and the leader of the Shuwa Arab community in the state,
Alhaji Ahmed Yahaya, while the traditional ruler of Ibute Nze led
leaders of three communities of Akpakwume, Ezi Nze and Ibute Nze
communities in Udi council area of the state who also attended the meeting.