16 herdsmen convicted for grazing in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has convicted 16 herdsmen for grazing in the nation’s capital.

According to Muhammad Hazat, spokesman of the Muhammed Bello, FCT minister, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB)  impounded 32 cows and 38 sheep in seven days.

Hazat said the herdsmen had been arraigned and convicted before a mobile sanitation court.

“In the seven days exercise so far, 36 cows and 38 sheep have been impounded, while 16 herdsmen have been arraigned and convicted before the Sanitation Mobile Court,” he said.

“The AEPB and the task team thus tendered the impounded cows and sheep as exhibit to secure the conviction of the arrested herdsmen.

“The exercise is sequel to the directive of the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, for the Abuja Environmental Protection Board and the FCT Task Team on Environment to stop forthwith the grazing of cattle within Abuja metropolis.

“Those arrested have been made to face the consequences of their actions as they have paid various fines to serve as a deterrent to others with strong warning to desist from doing same.

“The exercise that commenced about 7 days ago by the AEPB and the task team on the instruction of the Minister is a continuous one.”