A social cultural group, New Nigeria Initiative, (NNI), Monday, proposed a bill before he Edo State House of Assembly a five-year jail term for herders found grazing in an authorised places in the state with the view to checkmating their excesses.
This was contained in a press statement titled ‘Banning of Open Cattle Grazing in Edo State‘, signed by it president, Mr. Uwadiae Odigie and it secretary, Mr. Comrade Igbotako Nowinta, and made available to newsmen in Benin City.
Mr. Odigie said they have watched with bated breath the “unimaginable atrocities and cruelties perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen in every nooks and crannies of Edo State where their brightest and promising sons and daughters have fallen prey to these enemies of sanity and humanity. “
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Odigie alleged that hundreds of women have been raped and killed, even in the presence of their husbands in the state while residents sleep with eyes opened.
He opined that the consequences of the prevailing horrors being experienced in the state are mindbogglingly leading to the prices of agricultural products being skyrocketed.
He also added that the cost of living has become unbearable because farmers can no longer access their means of livelihood.
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The president of the group noted that the people of the state are all being held hostage against their will and wish by a d”group of Fulani herdsmen who are nothing but a consuming fire of evil doers threatening our very existence as a people.”
He posited that the group decided to propose the bill due to “President Muhammadu Buhari’s lack of visible clue to save Nigerians from the continuous demonic grip of the agents of death.”
Odigie opined that the proposed bill for law in Edo State was geared towards prohibiting open cattle grazing within the geographical space of Edo State.
He said to curtail the act of killings by suspected killer herdsmen, herders who contravene the law, would be sentenced to five years jail term.
“Any person arrested under the provisions of this law shall be arraigned before the Magistrate Court.
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“Any person who contravenes the provisions of this law is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N150, 000 per cow or to imprisonment for not less than five years or both.
“Any person who obstructs or assaults any officer in discharge of his duty assigned to him under the provisions of this law shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N200,000 or two years imprisonment or both”, he said.
He noted further that more than 1,000 signatories endorsing the bill for immediate deliberations have been recommended to the Edo State House of Assembly and prays it will be favourably passed into law.
