Herdsmen in trouble in Enugu state as Ugwuanyi bans night grazing, possession of arms

As part of measures in curtailing the excesses of herds men in various communities in Enugu state, the state government has banned the rearing of cattle at night and also declared possession of any form of firearm by herds men illegal.

The decision was reached yesterday by the state government  after a meeting between Governor  Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and leaders of
Fulani/Shuwa Arab herdsmen in the state.


Another far reaching decision taken during the crucial meeting
yesterday was the setting up of a peace committee made up of
representatives of the various interest groups from the Fulani\Shuwa
Arab Community in the state, government representatives as well as
security agencies.

 The meeting which was convened by Gov. Ugwuanyi, was also  attended by
leaders of some  communities affected by the menace of the herdsmen in the
state.  A decision that the herds men should pay compensation to communities whose crops were destroyed by ravaging cattle led by the herds men was also reached, while the communities will pay for any cattle killed by their members.

Governor Ugwuanyi   convened the meeting in furtherance of on going
efforts of the state government to find a lasting solution to the

lingering clashes between Fulani herdsmen and their host communities,
especially in the wake of the recent Nimbo killings.

It was also decided that violators of these resolutions will be
made toface the full wrath of the law.

Addressing the meeting which held at the Government House, Enugu Gov
Ugwuanyi sued for peace among all residents of the state even as he
regretted the recent attacks by the herdsmen.

Present at the meeting were the secretary of the Fulani Community in
the state, Bala Ardo, the leader of the Fulani community, Alhaji Ado
Saidu Basu, and the leader of the Shuwa Arab community in the state,
Alhaji Ahmed Yahaya, while the traditional ruler of Ibute Nze led
leaders of three communities of Akpakwume, Ezi Nze and Ibute Nze
communities in Udi council area of the state  who also attended the
meeting.