Governors of the South West states of Nigeria on Monday asked the Federal Government to set up ranches across the country and discourage nomadic system of cattle rearing.
The normadic system through which cows are reared freely across the land, towns and forests nationwide, has led to frequent bloody clashes with many casualties recorded, and accompanied with destruction of properties, among farmers and herders, thus aggravating the security challenges of the country.
The six Governors in the region spoke under the platform of South West Governors’ Forum in Akure, the Ondo State capital, lamenting the spate of killings and other forms of criminality in the region, which they said need serious attention.
They spoke through their Chairman and Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu during a condolence visit to Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti after the funeral service for his daughter, Mrs Funke Olakunri in Akure.
Mrs Olakunri was killed penultimate Friday near Ore by suspected Fulani herders.
Akeredolu promised the Yoruba people: “We are ready to protect our people. No doubt, we are faced with many security challenges. We are ready to tackle security challenges in the region.
“All the governors are saddened by the killing of Funke, it shouldn’t have happened, it has brought us down, we should hide our face, we should be blamed.
“But we are prepared to face this challenge. It’s a security challenge. Something drastic and urgent needs to be done. ”
Also speaking at the visit, an Afenifere Chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo condemned the activities of the Fulani herdsmen and urged the governors to collectively fight the menace of insecurity ravaging the region.
