Communique - Meeting of the SW Governors, MACBAN and Security Agencies

Tuesday, January 26, 2021 / 05:27 AM / Communique /Header Image Credit: The Guardian

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MEETING OF THE GOVERNORS' FORUM WITHTHE LEADERSHIP OF MIYETTI-ALLAH CATTLE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (MACBAN)AND THE HEADS OF SECURITY AGENCIES ON EMERGING SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THESOUTH-WEST GEO-POLITICAL ZONE, HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL CULTURE AND EVENTCENTRE (DOME), AKURE, ONDO STATE ON MONDAY, 25TH JANUARY, 2021.

Following the Executive Order of the Governor of Ondo State, ArakunrinOluwaratim Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, to the Fulani Herdsmen illegaly occupying theState Forest Reserves to vacate within seven days With effect from Monday18" January, 2021, the Nigeria Governors' Forum led by its Chairman, Dr.Kayode Fayemi met with the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle BreedersAssociation of Nigeria (MACBAN), security agencies and other stakeholders on25th January, 2021 at the International Centre for Culture and Events,Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State to find lasting solutions to the incessantkillings, kidnapping and crises between herdsmen and farmers in the Southwestgeo-political zone of the country.

Meeting discussed vigorously and resolved that:

1. The securityand welfare of the people of Nigeria is the primary purpose of Government asenshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended.

2. Thestakeholders are committed to the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.

3. Insecurityis a national challenge and not peculiar to any tribe or region but must beaddressed by the cooperation of all.

4. The order ofthe Ondo State Governor was misconstrued and misrepresented by a section of themedia. He only ordered those occupying the Forest Reserves in Ondo Stateillegally to quit.

5. Criminalsshould be apprehended and punished, no matter their origin, class or status.

6. Securityagencies have been trying to stem the tide of criminality in the country butmust step up their efforts in the fight.

7. There is theneed to build partnership for peace and security with MACBAN and jointly wagewar against criminality.

8. No one hadsent anyone away from any state or region but all hands must be on deck tofight criminality.

9. MACBAN is apeace loving, law abiding organization which does not habour or condonecriminals and agreed that:

(i) Nightgrazing should be banned henceforth

(ii) Under ageherding is Inimical to security and hence be banned

(iii) Occupationof State Forest Reserves illegally is condemned.

10. MACBAN also suffers insecurity and kidnapping and thusdesire peaceful coexistence.

11. MACBAN isready for any peaceful move by the states to engender security.

12. Fake news is another issue that makes our securityworse than solving it.

13. There must be an enduring framework with MACBAN in away that will help address security issues.

14. That free range grazing must be stopped to avoidconflicts between the farmers and the herders

15.Strengthening an alternative security arrangements andmake them complementary to the mainstream security agencies in Nigeria.

16. MACBAN should embrace and be committed to modernbreeding process by creating grazing reserves and practice ranching to preventcattle roaming about.

17. StandingCommittee comprising of farmers, MACBAN and the Government should be set up ineach state (where they don't exist) to ensure synergy and result.

18. We must create economic opportunities for our peopleand reduce opportunities for criminalities in our country.