The controversial Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose has banned the movement of cattle for grazing and rearing purposes in the state following the attack on Oke-Ako in Ikole local government area of the State by Fulani herdsmen which left 2 dead and several injured on Friday, May 20.

According to Premium Times, the governor, in banning the herdsmen said the people interested in cattle farming should get their private ranch while revealing that a bill has been sent to the State House of Assembly to make criminal the movement of cattle from one location to another in the state.

The scourge of Fulani herdsmen led attacks on their host communities has in 2016 alone reportedly claimed over 600 lives with 400 believed to have died during the attack and destruction of the Agatu Community earlier in the year.

According to the online news platform, Fayose announced the ban when he visited Oke-Ako.

He said, “We will not leave our lands for Fulani herdsmen and in a system where the leadership of the country looks the other way while our people are being killed, we will have no option than to defend ourselves by whatever means.

“I have come here to commiserate with the people of Oke-Ako over the murder of two of our people by these evil Fulani herdsmen.

“I am also here to assure that this will be the last time your community will be invaded by Fulani herdsmen under whatever guise.

“I have directed that cattle rearing and grazing should stop in Ekiti State and those interested in cattle farming should henceforth do so in their own cattle ranch.

“No more movement of cattle from one location to another in the State and any cattle seen anywhere in Ekiti State apart from the ranch created for them by their owners will be confiscated by the government and their owners will be prosecuted.

“A bill to this effect will be sent to House of Assembly for passage into law to criminalise cattle owners whose cattle are found moving from one location the other in the State.

The governor further said, “If President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the patron of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has refused to call the herdsmen to order, we in Ekiti will no longer harbour herdsmen who go about killing our people, destroying our farmlands and raping our women.

“It is our duty to protect our people and we are going to do that without fear or favour.”