Chief Omirhobo Urges FG to Ban Open Grazing, Condemns Insecurity

Human rights lawyer and activist Chief Malcolm Omirhobo has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently ban open grazing across the country, describing it as an outdated and dangerous practice contributing to rising insecurity.

In a strongly-worded statement, Chief Omirhobo decried what he described as the Federal Government’s tacit support and inaction towards the violent activities of some Fulani herdsmen, who, according to him, continue to trespass on farmlands and communities, leaving a trail of destruction.

He questioned why, in the 21st century, the Nigerian state still permits such criminality, which includes acts of killing, maiming, kidnapping, raping, and the destruction of properties, allegedly carried out by some individuals within the Fulani ethnic group.

“I dare ask: why, in the 21st century, are you allowing and tacitly supporting the Fulani ethnic nationality to criminally trespass on the land of other Nigerians, perpetuating medieval-like atrocities such as killing, maiming, brutalizing, dehumanizing, kidnapping, raping, extorting, and destroying property without consequences? It’s high time the FGN bans open grazing and promotes ranching as a more sustainable and respectful solution to the menace of the Fulani herdsmen,” he said.

Chief Omirhobo emphasized that ranching is a more sustainable and respectful approach to animal husbandry and urged the Federal Government to adopt and promote it nationwide.

He called for urgent reforms to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic or regional affiliations.