By Austin Ogwuda
… says it is being used to score political credit
“The absence of a robust framework to manage herders activities in Delta State has exacerbated tensions between communities, thus increasing the likelihood of violent confrontations”, Comrade Sheriff Mulade has said.
Mulade, who is the National Co-ordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) lamented the deliberate neglect and non-implementation of the Delta State Anti-Open Grazing and Prohibition Law 2021 enacted during the tenure of the immediate past Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
He alleged that it had become a tool used to only score political credit while vulnerable masses, especially farmers are abandoned to their fate.
Lamenting over the farmers herders menace, Mulade said, “In 2021, the Delta State government took a politically motivated and significant step towards addressing the long-standing conflict between herders and farmers by signing the Anti-Open Grazing and Prohibition Law.
“This legislation was designed to curb the rampant issues associated with open grazing, which has been a source of tension, violence and insecurity in many parts of Nigeria. However, as we approach the fourth anniversary of this law, it is evident that the Delta State government has failed to implement it effectively, leaving citizens vulnerable to the very crises the law was intended to prevent.
“The context of the law is very clear; open grazing has been a contentious issue in Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt and Southern regions, where clashes between herders and farmers have led to loss of lives, destruction of property and widespread insecurity.
“The Anti-Open Grazing Law was introduced as a proactive measure to regulate livestock movement, protect farmlands and promote peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers. By prohibiting open grazing, the law aimed to reduce conflicts and enhance agricultural productivity, thereby fostering economic stability in the region.
“Despite the law’s noble intentions”, he went on, “the Delta State government has not taken the necessary steps because it lacks the political will to enforce it to the detriment of Deltans This lack of implementation has serious implications for the state and its citizens.
“The failure to regulate grazing practices has left farmers vulnerable to the encroachment of cattle on their lands, leading to crop destruction and economic losses. Moreover, the absence of a robust framework to manage herders activities has exacerbated tensions between communities, increasing the likelihood of violent confrontations.
“The situation is further complicated by reports of kidnappings and violent attacks attributed to herders and their accomplices. Citizens have expressed growing concerns about their safety, as these incidents have become alarmingly frequent.
“The government’s silence on the non-implementation of the law, despite these security challenges, raises questions about its commitment to protecting the lives and livelihoods of its citizens.
“The failure to implement the Anti-Open Grazing Law not only threatens agricultural productivity but also poses a significant risk to the overall security of Delta State. The lack of effective governance in this regard undermines public trust in the government and its ability to maintain law and order”, he added.
DOPF’s intervention
Recall that about a year ago, precisely July 2024, the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) expressed grave concern over the alarming increase in kidnapping incidents and herder attacks in Delta State, particularly Delta Central and Delta North which prompted a press statement, hereunder, reproduced.
*In recent weeks, there has been a disturbing surge in kidnapping activities, particularly in State major highways, Sapele-Effurrun road, the East-west Road between Agbarho and Ughelli and between Ughelli/Patani, hardly a day passes without reported cases of kidnap and armed robbery attacks on the routes. Travelling through these roads is like daring your fate, because it takes a miracle to pass unhurt.
A once peaceful community, Egbo-Urhe in the Ughelli South local government area, is currently under siege by kidnappers. From Ughelli to Effurun, Sapele, Oghara, Abraka and Agbor, nowhere is safe as kidnappers pick their victims lick hawk. Families are living in fear, businesses are suffering, and the overall safety of our citizens is at stake.
The DOPF urges the Inspector General of Police and the Delta State Commissioner of Police to deploy additional resources and personnel to the affected areas to ensure the protection of lives and property. It is imperative that swift and decisive action is taken to dismantle these criminal networks and restore confidence in our security apparatus.
We also appeal to the State Government support the security agencies with logistics and other tools to enhance intelligence gathering and community policing initiatives, which are crucial in preventing these crimes before they occur. The collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups should be strengthened to create a formidable defense against these threats.
Furthermore, the DOPF calls on the State government to engage in meaningful dialogue with herder communities to address the underlying issues contributing to these attacks. Sustainable solutions must be found to foster peaceful coexistence and prevent future conflicts. Today, most Deltans are facing starvation because they can’t go to their farms without being attacked.
The safety and security of our citizens are paramount, and we must all work together to put an end to these acts of violence and ensure a safe and prosperous Delta State.
Signed:
Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli (Chairman)
Mr. Shedrack Onitsha (Secretary)
