By Babatunde Ayedoju

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In recent times, insecurity has been one of the most prevalent matters among Nigerians. There have been stories of kidnapping and banditry in form of raping, maiming and killing, all of which have been attributed to suspected herdsmen.
Nigeria has recorded several cases of clashes between nomadic herdsmen and farmers which most of the time arose because the farmers challenged the herdsmen for encroaching into their farmlands and were subsequently attacked by those herdsmen.
It was in view of such attacks that governors from the south west geo political zone of Nigeria last year, under the leadership of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, launched the Western Nigerian Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps.
Furthermore, in January, Ondo State governor took the bold step of banning under age and night grazing, while ordering all illegal occupants of state government forest reserves to vacate the place.
This was followed by a summit of Southern Governors Forum in Asaba, Delta State, also led by Governor Akeredolu. Among other resolutions in the 12 point communique, the governors took a decision to ban open grazing in the southern part of the country. They also requested that the Federal Government should be willing to support states to develop alternative and modern livestock management system.
The SGF held another meeting in Lagos and set September 1 as deadline for Southern Governors to sign Anti-Open Grazing Laws in their respective states. In line with that, on Tuesday August 31, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, signed the Anti-Open Grazing Law in Ondo State. The 26 members of the Ondo State House of Assembly had passed the bill after its submission to them by the governor. After a thorough legislative procedures, it was forwarded back to the governor for his assent. Governor Akeredolu, on his part, forwarded same to the Ministry of Justice for legal inputs, after which it was returned to him for his final assent.
According to a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, stated that: “this is worthwhile and a very laudable development aimed at stemming needless instances of skirmishes, conflicts as well as infractions on the enviably peaceful disposition of the good people of Ondo State.
“It is very pertinent to aver and indeed, reiterate that the law shall rather, engender a more cordial, mutually benefiting relationship amongst residents of the State irrespective of ethnicity, religion or creed. For emphasis, no particular group of persons is the target.
The statement further read, “while it is the hope of government that all residents would take an ample advantage of this law to enhance our socio-economic well being in Ondo State, compliance of same shall be given the utmost attention. Government shall pursue with vigour, through lawful means, to ensure strict compliance.
The statement added that “in this regard, details of the new law shall be made available to the public for proper information, more depth of understanding on contents as well as other relevant areas”.
With the Anti-Open Grazing law signed, what is next? Is it even a step in the right direction? What does the future now hold for Ondo State?
According to Professor Victor Olumekun from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, the Anti-Open Grazing Law signed by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is a step in the right direction.
The Professor of Plant Science expressed hope that when enforced, the law would discourage herders from willfully destroying people’s farms.
He also said that farmers would be encouraged to farm and food would become available, thereby reducing prices of food items.
Speaking with The Hope, a Mass Communication scholar, also from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Dr Raphael Abimbola, said, “The Anti-Open Grazing Law signed by Ondo State Government is a step in the right direction because in this 21st century, it has become an absurdity for us to have open grazing of animals, especially as some people hide under that practice to perpetrate crimes.”
He said, “open grazing has become a crime in Ondo State and I think the House of Assembly members and the governor need to be commended for the swift passage of the bill and assent.
The media scholar and practitioner added, “All we need to talk about is implementation. For easy implementation, the Government must put security and educational structures in place. Amotekun and other security agencies must be mobilised to enforce it, because when you don’t enforce a law, it is as good as not having a law.
“Citizens should be enlightened that open grazing is now a criminal activity and they should not wait till they are attacked before alerting security agencies if they notice any trespassers.”
While noting that the law will discourage those who hide under open grazing to perpetrate crimes, Dr Abimbola said, “Government has made an alternative, which is ranching. If anybody wants to rear animals, let the person seek government approval on the appropriate location to be used for that purpose.”