Ijumu local government council in Kogi state has banned underage herders in the area.
This was part of the resolution of an extraordinary security meeting convened to address farmers/herders crisis in the local government early this week.
The security meeting, at the instance of the Council Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Haruna, directed that herders below the age of 18 years are no longer permitted within the local government.
Any underage herder caught will pay 1 million naira penalty fees.
A statement signed by Olorunjuwon Benfortune, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Council Chairman, explained that the urgent security meeting was prompted by a recent attack on a Gbagi farmer by Fulani herders, raising concerns over recurring farmer-herder clashes.
He added that the extraordinary assembly also sought to strategize on preventing further conflicts, ensuring community safety, and promoting peaceful coexistence.
The stakeholders at the security meeting also agreed that all herders in Ijumu local government are required to register with the local government and obtain identification cards, with non-compliance subject to a 2 million Naira fine.
Also, grazing time was restricted to 6 am to 6 pm, with violations carrying a penalty of 1 million Naira.
It was agreed that herders will be held accountable for any farm damage caused by grazing within their areas of operation.
To foster dialogue, regular meetings will be held between herders and farmers, with the first scheduled for 9th November 2024.
The Council Chairman called on the public to remain calm and law-abiding, cautioning against taking justice into their own hands. He assured residents that security forces are on top of the situation and that positive developments have been ascertained.
He further reaffirmed his commitment to the safety of all citizens within Ijumu LGA.
“Ijumu is our home, and we have a duty to protect it at all costs,” he declared.
The meeting brought together key security officials, including representatives from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Joint Task Force m, JTF, Kogi State Vigilante Service Corps, KSVSC, as well as community leaders, representative of the traditional council, leaders of Fulani, Gbagi and Tiv Communities.
