Bayelsa Govt. warns herdsmen to relocate to grazing site or be arrested

Sequel to a successful apprehension of herdsmen roaming and grazing at the Ijaw National Academy in Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, Bayelsa State Government has warned that any herdsman and cattle found roaming the state would be arrested; and urged owners to relocate to designated grazing site.

It was gathered that the government is doing everything possible to avoid crisis between herdsmen and Bayelsans in various communities, hence the need to restrict grazing the designated grazing site at the Bayelsa Palm area.

The Government gave the warning through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Chief Boma Spero-Jack, who spoke to journalists in Yenagoa.

He pointed that the warning has become imperative, because despite directives to this effect, a number of herdsmen have refused to relocate to the grazing area.

Jack reiterated the government’s position, stressing that, the decision to create a grazing site was purely for security reasons to avoid a possible breakdown of law and order, which could arise in the case of any clash between the herdsmen and farmers or any other group of Bayelsans.

He reassured the people of the State that, the Restoration Government would stop at nothing to protect the lives and properties of the citizens, as well as protect the overall interest of the Ijaw Nation.

Jack, however, called for the cooperation of every Bayelsan, as the Government was doing its utmost best to avert any likely breakdown of law and order. He urged all to be vigilant and not be deceived to believing that the leadership of the State was ceding valuable land of the state to herdsmen.

He however described such unfounded stories as the handiwork of mischief makers, who are more interested in themselves and the political gains they want to make and clearly not about the interest of Bayelsa State and the Ijaw Nation.