Ebun Francis || The Federal Government on Thursday blamed the passage of anti-open grazing law in some states as one the cause of the recent killings by herdsmen in some of the states.
Mr. Dan-Ali stated this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of security chiefs with President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the minister, the “remote” cause of the violence was the violation of areas demarcated as grazing areas in some states.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to learn to accept foreigners in their areas.
He also said it is illegal for state governments to set up and arm forest guards.
“Whatever crisis that happened at any time, there has to be remote and immediate causes,” the minister said.
“What are the remote causes of this farmers/herders crisis? Since Independence, we know there used to be a route whereby these cattle rearers use.
“Cattle rearers are all over the nation, you go to Bayelsa, you see them, you go to Ogun, you see them. If those routes are blocked, what happens? These people are Nigerians, it’s just like you going to block river or shoreline, does that make sense to you?
“These are the remote causes. But what are the immediate causes? It is the grazing law. These people are Nigerians, we must learn to live together with each other, that is basic.
“Communities and other people must learn how to accept foreigners within their enclave, finish!” he said.
Mr. Dan-Ali faulted the decision by some states to set up and arm forest guards, saying it is illegal.