The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has expressed strong displeasure over the continued practice of open cattle grazing in Ibadanland, describing it as illegal and unacceptable.
A statement by the chief press secretary to the traditional ruler, Olugbemiga Ayoade, on Monday in Ibadan, said that Mr Ladoja made the remarks shortly after a meeting with members of the Olubadan-in-Council and executive members of the Ijaye Farm Settlers Association at his palace.
The Olubadan emphasised that open cattle grazing was not only illegal but also prohibited in Ibadanland and Oyo State in general.
The traditional ruler warned cattle rearers to desist immediately from open grazing, stressing that anyone found violating the law would be arrested and prosecuted.
“Any person caught disobeying the Oyo State law that forbids open cattle grazing will be arrested and prosecuted in a court of law,” he said.
The traditional ruler decried the impact of the activities of some herdsmen on farming communities, insisting that the palace would no longer tolerate insecurity and lawlessness.
“We will not fold our arms and watch herdsmen kill farmers, attack their children, assault their wives, and destroy their farms, which is their means of livelihood,” he said.
Mr Ladoja urged Ibadan Mogajis, Baales and other traditional title holders to remain vigilant in their respective domains and ensure the protection of lives and property, warning that failure to do so could attract sanctions from the palace.
The traditional ruler also urged residents of Ibadanland to promptly report the presence of suspected kidnappers or other criminal elements to law enforcement agencies.
The chairman of the Ijaye Farm Settlers Association, David Olatunji, decried what he described as rising attacks on farmers by herdsmen in the area.
“Our members are being attacked, our children endangered, our wives assaulted and our farmlands destroyed,” he said.
He added that repeated efforts to secure protection for the farmers had yielded little result.
“We are pleading for the support and protection of the Olubadan and the Oyo State Government to rescue us from these destructive activities,” he said.
(NAN)