The Ekiti State Government has warned herders operating in the state to refrain from allowing their flocks to invade and destroy farms, jeopardizing the government’s significant investment in agriculture.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Ebenezer Ogundana, a retired Brigadier General, issued the warning during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Ekiti State Farmers/Herders Peace Committee.
Ogundana emphasized that the government will invoke the full weight of the law on any underage herder or those herding at night.
He stated, “Since the government will not fold its arms and allow the lawlessness to continue, the Herders/Farmers Peace Committee was inaugurated by Governor Biodun Oyebanji in 2023.
“The committee is to interface between the herders and farmers. In addition, there are other policies and control measures put in place to strengthen the relationship between them.
“Some of these policies include anti-grazing law which is an Act of the State House of Assembly. The law is to ensure that there is no grazing at night, prohibition of under-age from grazing, no grazing on the farmland and the defaulters are to be dealt with according to the law of the land.”
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, revealed Governor Oyebanji’s plan to invest heavily in agriculture in 2025, emphasizing the importance of security and protection for farmers and farmlands.
Boluwade noted that the government has invested over N2 billion in agriculture this year alone and stressed the need to see a turnover to encourage both government and farmers to do more.
The Ekiti State Government’s efforts to promote agricultural development and security are part of its broader strategy to drive industrialization and achieve economic prosperity.