Fayose Recounts Arrest of 67 Herders, Says Ganduje Queried Enforcement of Anti-Grazing Law

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has revealed that his administration arrested more than 67 herders and secured the conviction of 17 individuals during the enforcement of the state's anti-open grazing law.

Speaking during an interview, Fayose said Ekiti became one of the first states in Nigeria to enact legislation banning open cattle grazing, a move he described as necessary to address security concerns and protect farming communities following reported attacks in rural areas.

According to him, the law established a ranching system and empowered authorities to seize cattle found roaming freely in violation of the regulations.

“When I was governor of Ekiti, I made a law at the time. I was the first to make a law in this country that there would be no cattle roaming in my state. I created a ranch, went to the House of Assembly, and made a law. Under that law, the moment we found you with cattle, we took over the cattle,” Fayose said.

The former governor stated that the enforcement campaign led to the arrest of more than 67 herders, adding that within three months, 17 people were jailed, including 15 Fulani individuals.

“I arrested more than 67 Fulanis. Within three months, we were able to jail 17 people, 15 of whom were Fulanis. I am not indicting the Fulani because Fulani people are great people. They are good people. I am not indicting anybody,” he said.

Fayose stressed that the measures were aimed at enforcing the law and curbing criminal activities rather than targeting any ethnic group.

He further disclosed that the strict implementation of the anti-grazing law attracted attention from prominent northern leaders, including former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and representatives of traditional institutions.

“But when they saw that I was not joking, the Emir of Kano sent emissaries, and the former governor of Kano, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, came to Ekiti. They also sent emissaries from Sokoto to talk to me. They asked, ‘Why am I jailing Fulanis?’” Fayose recounted.

According to him, the engagements reflected growing concerns among stakeholders over the impact of the policy on herders operating in the state, even as his administration maintained that the law would be enforced without discrimination.