Underage children in the Buji Local Government Council of Jigawa have been banned from grazing animals in the area to prevent clashes between herders and farmers.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the council’s information officer, Ali Safiyanu, said that the council’s chairman, Abdullahi Suleiman, announced the ban recently at a meeting with the area’s Farmers and Herdsmen Committee in Buji.

“The action was taken after the council observed that the children could not fully control the animals, thereby allowing them to graze on farms.

“This action usually causes apprehension between farmers and owners of the animals, which can cause crises. So, to avoid the problem, the council decided that no children should be sent to graze animals in any part of the LGA,” Mr Safiyanu said.

Safiyanu quoted the chairman as calling on the Agriculture Department of the council to hasten efforts at presenting its report on those found encroaching into designated cattle routes and grazing reserves in the area to the committee.

The department head, Abdullahi Garkuwa, said they had identified those that encroached on cattle routes and grazing reserves and those cultivating land in areas designated as game reserves.

Mr Safiyanu said the committee comprised security agents, councillors, traditional rulers, farmers and members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN).