Lawless Fulani herdsmen take over BRT lane

 As the nation appears to be helpless on the activities of the Fulani herdsmen, causing incessant clashes and killings in several rural and semi urban areas, Lagos is having its own share of this misdemeanour, as they take their cattle through the Bus Rapid Transport, BRT lane along Ikorodu road, Lagos, constituting traffic hazards to motorists, BRT buses and other road users.

Last week, several cows and their herdsmen were spotted on the Ajegunle axis, and a few days ago, they were also spotted at the Itowolo axis blocking traffic flow on the BRT corridor. We gathered that the timely intervention of the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI officials saved the situation.

Reacting to the development, members of the House of Assembly took turn to condemn the act and calling for drastic action to taken against the herdsmen.

 In a motion moved by the Majority leader Sanai Agunbiade, he noted that cattle rearers now take to BRT lanes which has no grass to graze for their cattle, between Owode Onirin and Mile 12 at noon. Agunbiade said “Surprisingly I saw some Fulani herdsmen taking their cattle on Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, lane in Ikorodu around 10pm and someone on internet shared a picture of same act along Mile12/ Owode Onirin also in Ikorodu in broad day.”

 He also stated that there was the need to call the attention of the government and relevant agencies, particularly, the BRT monitoring team to put an end to this ugly development. Hon. Wahab Jimoh who represents Apapa Constituency I reiterated that the Fulani are also grazing at Mobil Road in Apapa and they are also slaughtering cows in an unauthorized places in the area.

“There is the need to use the necessary law to penalize them.” Meanwhile the House resolved to call on the Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to direct necessary agencies to enforce the state traffic law that will check the movement of cows particularly on the BRT lane, while, Commissioner for Information and Strategy should intensify awareness campaign in Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo languages on movement of cows on our major roads, as well as using only authorized abattoirs in the state.