Herdsmen to pay N5,000 registration fee in Ekiti – Fayose

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said herdsmen that are transiting through the state would have to pay N5,000 as registration fee during their stay in the state as part of efforts to control the activities of killer herdsmen.
Fayose announced this during a meeting with leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in the state, farmers, security agencies and leaders of hunters.
He said the proper thing for settlers in the rural communities is for them to be properly identified, considering the current security situation as regards some herdsmen.
He said: “Many of the Fulani herdsmen who settled here did so without permission from anyone.
“No one can be living with us and we, their host, would not know who they are.
“They said some of them only come briefly, but we don’t want that.
“Now, they would register with government for a token of N5,000.
“It is not their money that we need but their identity and locality.
“The sum of N5,000 would be renewable after a year.”
Fayose equally said a bill would be sent to the Ekiti State House of Assembly to make it a punishable offence for anyone who harbours “dangerous Fulani herdsmen”.
“He said: “We are sending a bill to the state Assembly to the effect that anyone caught and found guilty of harbouring dangerous Fulani herdsmen would be jailed for five years without an option of fine.
“So, I urge every resident in Ekiti to report anyone or stranger who is suspected to be a killer Fulani herdsman.”
The governor, at the meetings which were held over two days, also warned the leader of the Fulani in the state and the Serikin Fulani, Muhammed Abashe, that he would be held responsible for any further attack in the state.
He chided Abashe for failing in providing leadership by not preventing his kinsmen from destroying farms and attacking residents under slightest provocation.
He particularly expressed anger and displeasure at last week’s murder of a pregnant Tiv woman at the Orin Ekiti farm settlement allegedly by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Fayose mandated the herdsmen to register in their various locations within the next three months for identification and to also know who to hold responsible for any issue that comes up at any location in the state.
Fayose said: “If you (Fulani herders) still want to stay among us, you must accept the responsibility to ensure that none of our people’s farms is destroyed by herdsmen any longer.
“None of our people must be killed by your men, either they are strangers or those herdsmen living among us.
“If any killing or destruction of farms of our people occurs again in that area, I will ensure that I use the law to fight you their leader on it.
“This is the last warning I am giving you.”
The governor said the activities of the Fulani herders had continued to stain the names of President Muhammadu Buhari and other notable Fulani leaders in the country.
Fayose said: “These killings are giving Fulani people a bad name.
“If there are no good people among them, how would General Buhari rise to be president?
“There are doctors, lawyers, engineers and other notable professionals among you.
“This is denting their names.
“The greatest of men are the peace makers.
“Even though President Buhari does not send people to kill, it is spoiling his name.
“We are to make sure the killing stops.”
Fayose said he would not compromise in his efforts to shield the state from the menace of the herders.
He promised to enter into partnership to increase surveillance in the state.
He said: “We won’t be intimidated by the terror of the few.
“The moment you are caught, you will face the law.
“The killing by Fulani is worse than Boko Haram.
“We want one Nigeria because we have gone far.
“Anyone harbouring criminals will not know peace.
“Enough is enough.
“Life is sacred and must be treated as such.
“I’m calling on the Federal Government to be firm.
“When actions are taken against these mindless individuals, this killing will stop.
“It is because they are taking it like a family affair.
“This is not in the interest of Nigeria.
“Ordinary Nigerians can’t carry AK47 or pump action rifles.
“I want you to go back home believing in one Nigeria.
“These are activities of criminals notwithstanding their ethnic background.”