Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has approved the rehabilitation of grazing reserves across the country as from June, to curb the bloody clashes between herders and farmers across the country.
The president, who questioned the legality of the recent ban on open grazing in the southern region of the nation, said his administration is working on other alternatives to bring peace between farmers and herders.
A statement by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, announced that other measures are being finetuned to address the security challenges occasioned by armed herders across the country which have led to the loss of lives.
This development comes a few days after southern governors banned open grazing in the entire region. The move was criticised as unconstitutional by the nation’s justice minister, Abubakar Malami.
Mr Buhari, who also chided the governors for their resolution, in Monday’s statement said “he has approved a number of specific measures to bring a permanent end to the frequent skirmishes as recommended by Alhaji Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture in a report he submitted”.
“The President signed off on it back in April, well before the actions of the Southern Governors Forum which attempts to place a ban on open grazing and other acts of politicking intended by its signatories to demonstrate their power,” the release added.
