Fulani leaders protest unlawful arrest of herders, cattle in Oyo

Fulani leaders have protested against what they described as “unlawful” arrest of herders and cattle by the Agency of government in Oyo.

They submitted that some herders with their cattle have been unlawfully arrested at different locations in the state.

The Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Alhaji Yakubu Bello, and the Liaison Officer of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, Adam Abdukadir at a press conference in Ibadan on Monday alleged that some herders were illegally arrested by the state Rule of Law Enforcement Agency with their cattle, and they remanded in prison without the even listening to them, nor allow them to make any statement.

The Fulani leaders also protested their noninclusion in the state Rule of Law Enforcement Agency committee as one of the critical stakeholders in the state.

They maintained that the committee should be all-inclusive, to maintain peace across the state.

The Fulani leaders in their prayers called on the relevant stakeholders to intervene to forestall such occurrence in future, thereby reaffirming their commitment to the safety, security, and peaceful coexistence in the state.
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‎They, however, expressed confidence that the state government would engage all parties in finding a favorable solution to issues between the herders and their host communities.

‎Meanwhile, a legal practitioner, Barr. Waheed Olajide, criticized the Oyo State Anti-Grazing and Rearing of Animals Law 2019 and the Rule of Law Enforcement Committee, describing exclusion of the herders from the committee as biased.
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‎Olajide advocated for more comprehensive legislation that covers all aspects and strengthens institutions rather than individuals.

He faulted the Oyo State anti open grazing law, saying the law is somehow lopsided and against the herders.

He said, “The law says, if an animal should destroy your farm, you are to report, and when you make a report, the cattle owner will be apprehended and make to face the law, andthe law also provides for compensation for you, the farm owner.

“However, to have a balanced view, the law set up a committee both at the state level and at the local government level. That particular committee is headed at the state level by the Commissioner in charge of agriculture in the state.

“Unfortunately, in Oyo State, the Myetti Allah, the cattle breeders, or the Fulani groups, to my knowledge have not been made part of that committee which presupposes a kind of sentiment against them.

“A law is supposed to be for everybody, not for a section. So, the farmers, in this law, all the consequences for any offence is against the others. There is no single provision in this law against any farmer who might have transgressed against the herders.

“So,we should have a more comprehensive piece of legislation that will cover all the fields, not just a sector of the field.”

When contacted, the Information Officer to Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, Mrs Ogunniyi Opeyemi said though some Fulani’s were arrested in the past few weeks, but Oyo Rule of Law Enforcement Authority is not against anyone or tribe.

She said, “They were arrested for open -rearing and open grazing as well as destruction of farm produce which is punishable under a section of the State Anti-Open Grazing and Open rearing law of 2019.

“The rule of law is to be upheld by all, not against anyone or tribe, whoever goes against the law or violates the regulations as stated should be ready to face the full weight of the law.”

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