FG stops movement of herdsmen in Benue, Taraba, 3 other states

The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday agreed to stop movement of herdsmen in the country, starting with the five mostly affected states of Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna and Plateau.

The Council also supported the immediate creation of ranches across the country.

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

According to him, the five mostly affected states which had witnessed herdsmen killings will be expected to make land available for the ranches.

He said through ranching, the nomadic herdsmen and their families would be able to access good medical facilities and good schools for their children if they stay in one place.

Staying in a ranch, he said, would also improve the well-being of the cattle.

The governor added that the Federal Government and the affected states would still iron out the interventions expected from the two parties.

He said foreign herdsmen should be able to show some travel documents, even though visa is not allowed for movement in West African.

The Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh said the federal government would no longer allow the killings to continue.

He said Nigeria may no longer keep to the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons. (The Nation)