President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted Governor Samuel Ortom is right about him being Fulani herdsmen’s kinsman.

“The governor of Benue said I cannot discipline the cattle rearers because I am one of them. I cannot deny that I am one of them,” President Buhari said, adding that he has instructed that old grazing routes be reopened and taxes paid by genuine herders to solve the farmers-herders violent crisis.

Mr Buhari also commented on open grazing in the country, saying that old grazing routes be reopened and asked herders to pay taxes to solve the farmers-herders crisis.

Mr Buhari made the comments in an interview with ARISE TV aired on Thursday morning.

When questioned on open grazing, Mr Buhari said he had asked for the gazette that created cattle routes and grazing areas.

In Bayelsa, the state government impounded 34 cows and fined the herdsmen for violating its anti-open grazing law.

David Alagoa, Chairman of the Bayelsa Livestock Management Committee (BSLMC), said the impounded cattle would remain in the custody of the committee until the herders paid the prescribed fine.

The special adviser on security to the governor, Agberebi Akpoebi, said the committee was working with its local government operatives to enforce the anti-open grazing law.

Last month, 17 southern governors released a 12-point communique, agreeing to ban open grazing as Mr Buhari’s regime continues to ignore calls to wield the big stick against the murderous and destructive herdsmen rampaging their states.

The herders have been accused of destroying farmlands, kidnapping, and killing farmers and other residents.

Attorney general Abubakar Malami called this move illegal, arguing that the governors’ ban on open grazing infringes on their freedom of movement.