Army ban underage children from grazing in S’ Kaduna

The Nigeria Army has placed a ban on underage children from grazing in the troubled part of Southern Kaduna, saying they are one of the major causes of farmers and herders clash in the region.

Speaking at the weekend, through the Special Task Force (STF) Commander, Major General Rogers Ibe Nichols, the army said children in their naive nature graze into farm lands, thereby destroying crops, leading to the provocation of farms which result to the incessant face-off between herdsmen and farmers.

Gen. Nicholas whose Command now extends to four Local Government Areas in Southern Kaduna also said it will begin operation to disarm weapons in the hands of people living in the area, saying the operation is aimed at permanently forestalling the wanton bloodshed hitherto experienced in the region.

Addressing journalists in a town hall meeting held in Kafanchan, the Army boss advised residents in possession of guns to surrender them or face the full wrath of the law.

”The army has taken over full control of internal security in Kaura, Zangon Kataf, Jema’a and Sanga LGA’s in Southern Kaduna, in accordance with the directive from the Chief of Army Staff and we advise those in possession of weapons to surrender them to us or else they will face the full weight of the law.”

Gen. Nicholas also at the end of the forum gave measures that should be adhered to for peaceful coexistence among farmers and herdsmen which he narrated as saying, “all grazing routes should be open and dead line for cattle rearers to graze is fixed at 6:30pm and no cattle rearer should graze in anybody’s farm; any cattle rustled in any community, the community will be made to pay for it as well as any farm land destroyed by herdsmen will by met with a fine,” he said.

However, the member representing Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Shehu N. Garba, laud the STF initiative to embark on arms disarmament exercise, adding that the effort will curtail the tension experienced in the area.

He said that arms in the hands of unauthorized people is a risk to the community and an act that is illegal, adding that every measure should be taken to recover illegal arms in the hands of people.

“There is no doubt that what has taken place today was well conceived as all members of the waring communities were brought under one roof to discuss steps that should be taken to ensure that permanent peace is restored to the area,” he said.

In his part, the convener of the town hall meeting and a Peace advocate, Rev Gideon Para-Mallam, said the aim is to seek alternative measures to complement the military in bringing about permanent peace to the area.
Para-Mallam, who was among those reported to be responsible for the restoration of peace in Jos, emphasized the need for dialogue as the most civilized approach to conflict resolution.