Afenifere asks south-west governors to ‘forge ahead’ with anti-open grazing law

Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, has asked south-west governors to activate the anti-open grazing law in their states.

The group also called on the federal government to allow the take-off of state police.

In a communiqué signed by Jare Ajayi, the national publicity secretary, Afenifere said its members held a meeting at the Ijebu-Ode home of its leader, Ayo Adebanjo, where they deliberated on the plan by President Muhammadu Buhari to re-open the cattle routes despite stiff opposition.

The communiqué released on Tuesday reads: “Afenifere noted with serious concern the unprecedented security problems accentuated by the influx of people even from outside Nigeria. Some of them are disguising as Okada riders. We call on the government and security agencies to put a halt to the unbridled influx of people with questionable intention.

“Afenifere observed that terrorism and related vices including kidnapping are now so worrisome that in some cases, our people in places like Yewa, Ogun state, Oke Ogun in Oyo state, etc are forced to be relocating into Benin Republic and other West African countries. Urgent actions must be taken to guarantee the security of these people and to put a stop to what is causing them agonies.

“We deliberated upon the plan by President Muhammadu Buhari to re-open the cattle routes despite stiff opposition from members of the public.

“It is a known fact that Afenifere strongly stands by the Southern Governors in their resolution on anti grazing laws. We commend the steps taken by governors of the South West on the establishment of security networks like Amotekun. We urge them to continue to forge ahead.”

The group also deliberated on what it described as “illegal mining activities going on in various parts of the south west especially by non-indigenes”.

“In view of the fact that Nigeria nation is fast moving into the precipice, there is the need by the federal government to urgently put a halt to various acts of terrorism, kidnapping, herders/farmers clashes and the likes. This, government can do, by immediately allowing states to have their own police,” Afenifere added.