In a move to restore law and order in Plateau and Bauchi States, the governments, through the Operation Safe Haven, OPSH, have placed curfew on the herdsmen and cattle.
The task force announced that from 7pm, cattle and herdsmen would not be allowed to move in the Plateau State and parts of Bauchi State in search of farmlands for grazing.
Commander of OPSH, Major-General Tagbo Ude, announced the ban last week during a town hall meeting with various community leaders, village heads and ardos of Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South and Mangu Local Government Areas.
General Ude also emphasised the need to live together and called on all parties involved to consolidate on the hard earned peace that is already in place.
He noted that he was aware that some of the challenges facing internally displaced persons who wish to return to their homes is the likely hood of their lands being sold or occupied by others, stressing that “if somebody has legitimately acquired his land, it is his, whether he is Berom or Fulani.”
He pointed out that, “Due to the security challenges, a lot of people left their homes, many of them now want to return, but their lands have either been sold or are being occupied illegally. However, we are happy that displaced persons in Lomak and Baka in Riyom have returned to their homes.”
The commander commended the formation of a joint Berom and Fulani vigilante group in Barkin Ladi which he said has identified bad eggs within both communities and stressed that the strategy will be replicated in other communities.
Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Muhammad Nura, said he is happy with the ban on grazing after 7pm, adding that the group had also banned the use of children to rear cattle.
