Embattled Fulani herdsmen’s woes continue as Governor Duoye Diriof Bayelsa issues a 14-day ultimatum to Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to remove their cattle from Yenagoa.

This was disclosed on Monday to journalists by David Alagoa, the chairman, Bayelsa State Livestock Management, after a meeting with the association’s South-South chapters.

The state had inaugurated the committee as part of efforts to tackle open grazing.

Mr Alagoa, who doubles as the commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, directed that the Fulani socio-cultural group and other livestock dealers move their livestock out of Yenagoa and its environs before the ultimatum’s expiration.

He added that the 23-man committee would impound livestock if they failed to obey the order.

“We have agreed that we give them a moratorium period of 10 days, and by the 14th day, which falls on the 10th of April, we will start impounding (cows).

“If you are interested in the cattle business in Bayelsa, the governor has opened up business opportunities of the huge value chain in the meat business. It is time now. If you have land and want to ranch, you can ranch since we are going purely for ranching. If you want to plant grass and sell for cattle, you can sell,” said Mr Alagoa.

About three weeks ago, Mr Diri enacted a law prohibiting open grazing of livestock in the state.

“The essence of the law is to avert and forestall any clash between herdsmen, farmers, natives, and non-natives as experienced in some states.

“From the commencement of the law, no person shall breed, rear, or trade in livestock in the state in any other place as may be designated by the committee and approved by the state government.

“The law prohibits movement of cattle on foot from other parts of the country into the state, inspection of livestock and certification by veterinary doctors at entry point into the state among others.”

There have been calls for herders to vacate the southern part of Nigeria over kidnappings and killings traced to killer herdsmen.

Days ago, Miyetti Allah spokesman Saleh Alhassan admitted that herdsmen had joined bandits in the country’s killings and kidnappings.

“Today, we have a very heavy crisis in the North-West because of the activities of some of those governors. In the recent past, they mounted pressure on some of the herders. They lost their cattle, so now they join bandits, the bandits we are talking about,” he had said.