Unknown gunmen have shot dead some cows grazing in the open in Oba town, Idemili-South Local government Area of Anambra State.

The herders who were tendering the cows and some residents scampered for safety upon hearing the gunshots, eyewitnesses said.

According to an eyewitness, the gunmen killed the cows in enforcing the open grazing ban on herders in the state.

This is despite the fact that the anti-open grazing bill has only passed the first reading at the state house of assembly on September 22.

On May 11, governors of the 17 southern states resolved to ban open grazing and the movement of cattle by foot in order to curb clashes between farmers and herders in the region.

The decision of the governors was announced after a meeting in Asaba, the Delta state capital. The governors said the decision was taken as part of efforts to improve security in the region.

The forum observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits in the southern part of the country has created a severe security challenge, such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives, including pursuing various productive activities, leading to threats to food supply and general security. Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing of cattle be banned across southern Nigeria,

Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State governor and the chairman of the forum, had said.

At a follow-up meeting in Lagos, in July, the governors set September 1 as the deadline for the enactment of the law.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.