Traditional rulers in Aniocha North local council of Delta State yesterday banned Fulani herdsmen from grazing on farmlands in their communities. This decision was taken at a meeting between the traditional rulers, leaders of Fulani herdsmen and the authorities of the local council.

The meeting was headed by the council boss, Mr. Oseme Chukwugoziem. The monarchs lamented the wanton destruction of food and cash crops in their communities by cattle. They urged Fulani leaders in the state to caution their kinsmen in the area against kidnapping, rape and other crimes allegedly committed by herdsmen.

They advised Fulani herdsmen to disarm, saying there was no reason to move around with guns while pasturing their cattle. The council boss said the meeting was organised to promote peace and unity in the area.

“We do not want killings, rape and destruction of our farm crops anymore,” he said. Chukwugoziem asked the Fulani herdsmen to nominate two or three persons to act as their representatives in the local council. He said these people would be held liable if there is a breach in the ban imposed on grazing in the area.

The leaders of Cattle Breeders Association in the South-South, Alhaji Haruna Abubakar, Abdulsalam Abubakar and Lawal Imam commended the council chairman for the meeting, which they said was the first in the state.

They, however, said the crimes usually linked to herdsmen were committed by Fulani from Niger, Cameroun and other neighbouring countries.

•Excepted from a Guardian report. Photo shows Fulani herdsmen with their cattle.