Enugu bans carrying of arms by herdsmen, night grazing of cattle

It is now a criminal offence for herdsmen to carry any sort of arms, and graze or move at night with their cattle in Enugu State, owing to a rash of measures meant to prevent another carnage by Fulani herdsmen, after that of Ukpabi Nimbo, in Uzo-Uwani council of the state, recently.

This was the highpoint of a joint meeting on Monday, between the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and leaders of Fulani/Shuwa Arab herdsmen in the state.

Governor Ugwuanyi

Also banned are the carrying of firearms or any form of ammunition by the herdsmen and movement of cattle from one location to another at night in the state.
Another far reaching decision taken during the crucial meeting, was the setting up of a peace committee made up of representatives of the various interest groups from the Fulani\Shuwa Arab Community in the state, government representatives as well as security agencies.
During the meeting convened by Gov. Ugwuanyi, also attended by leaders of some  communities affected by the menace of the herdsmen in the state, it was also decided that compensation will be paid by herdsmen whose cattle destroy farm crops while the communities will pay for any cattle killed by their members.
The governor had convened the meeting in furtherance of ongoing efforts of the state government to find a lasting solution to the lingering clashes between Fulani herdsmen and their host communities, especially in the wake of the recent Nimbo killings.
It was also decided that violators of these resolutions will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Addressing the meeting which held at the Government House, Enugu, Ugwuanyi sued for peace among all residents of the state even as he regretted the recent attacks by the herdsmen.
Present at the meeting were the secretary of the Fulani Community in the state, Bala Ardo, the leader of the Fulani community, Alhaji Ado Saidu Basu, and the leader of the Shuwa Arab community in the state, Alhaji Ahmed Yahaya, while the traditional ruler of Ibute Nze led leaders of three communities of Akpakwume, Ezi Nze and Ibute Nze communities in Udi council area of the state who also attended the meeting.

Source Whirlwindnews.com