Victor Akinkuolie , Ado-Ekiti
|
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Ekiti State command, has called on members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and farmers in the state to maintain the existing peace during this festive season.

Ekiti State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Solomon Iyamu, while meeting the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and farmers Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State chapter, urged them to cooperate with the command to achieve peace at Christmas and in the New Year.

Iyamu, who warned Cattle breeders not to rear their cows around FADAMA farms in the state, so as to reduce tension between the members of the union and the farm owners.

He said, “the NSCDC will arrest and prosecute any cattle breeder in possession of fire arms, likewise any farmer that shoot at any cattle breeder or their cow”. Mr. Iyamu, further called on foodstuff sellers not to hike the price of the locally produced food items so as to make life affordable for all during the festive period.

The commandant stated that “we have observed that some food stuffs are been preserved with the use of pesticides such as Snipper, DDForce, which are harmful to human health, especially grains.

He charge the members to sensitize their members on this, saying anyone caught would be prosecuted”, The NSCDC commandant said: ‘I received intelligence report that some farmers are set to poison water ways for the purpose of fishing, as well as setting some farm lands and government reserved forest ablaze for purpose of grazing.

This command under my watch shall deal with such person ruthlessly. Iyamu charged the Miyetti Allah, that any new Fulani or Hausa relocating to Ekiti State should be documented with the Hausa and Fulani community before plying their business for the purpose of proper identification.

He, however commended the various groups for supplying the command with useful information that help in nipping in the bud the criminal activities around farm settlements in the state, calling for more cooperation geared towards peace and development in Ekiti.

Responding at the peace meeting, the Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State, Alhaji Mohammud Nasamu, said most of the crises between the cattle breeders and the farmers are majorly caused by those migrating to the state.