Gov. Dave Umahi

The National Economic Council (NEC) has recommended a ban on the movement of Fulani herdsmen in some states as a measure to curb the incessant killings being currently witnessed across the country.

The proposed ban is planned to commence in five states of the Middle Belt where the killings have been most rampant,namely Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Plateau and Taraba.

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi made this known to State House correspondents on Thursday while disclosing the outcome of the NEC meeting which was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Governor Umahi said in addition to the ban, ranching would be adopted in the affected states, adding that the governments of such states are expected to provide land for that purpose. He disclosed that the decision was arrived at and adopted after he submitted the report of a technical committee on the lingering crisis which he chaired to the Council.

Umahi further disclosed that the Committee identified the causes of the recurrent conflicts to include competition for scarce resources, media perception and banditry in the form of cattle rustling and kidnapping among others.

“In all, we agreed that movement is not profitable to the herdsmen because they value milk from the cow even more than the cow itself. So, movement is not healthy for the cows as it dries up the meat and gives less than two litres per day per cow.

“So, we condemn the issue of foreign invasion by foreign herdsmen and I am happy that the FG is doing something about it. We also agreed that these movements have to stop.

“So, in all, we agreed that there is a more profitable and more modern way of raising these cows which is by ranching. So, we have agreed that the states involved are going to give lands.

“Niger and Kaduna have given lands and Plateau is also  giving lands. Ranching is being practiced in Mambila in Taraba State and they have success stories with regards to that,” Umahi said.