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Ondo vows to prosecute owners, auction impounded cows

By Oluwaseun Akingboye, Akure
19 April 2021   |   3:06 am
The Ondo State Government has declared that it will no longer allow negotiation for compensation for farm crops destroyed by cows as a result of illegal grazing on farms.

[FILES] Akeredolu

The Ondo State Government has declared that it will no longer allow negotiation for compensation for farm crops destroyed by cows as a result of illegal grazing on farms.

It said it would henceforth prosecute owners of seized cows and auction the animals after getting a court order.

Ondo State Commander of the State Security Network, Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, stated this, yesterday, at the signing of an agreement for the release of over 250 cows arrested by Amotekun Corps.

Adeleye said the Amotekun Corps arrested over 250 cows following a distress call and petitions by farmers in Ipogun, Ilara, Owena Dam axis in Ifedore Local Council of the state.

The commander said he visited the farms and saw the level of havoc done by the herders and their cows.

He said the herders destroyed over 300 hectares of farmland with crops, including cassava, maize, cocoyam and yam, adding that aside eating up the leaves and stems of the plants, the herders uprooted cassava, cocoyam and yam tubers, which they used in feeding their cows.

“We will henceforth charge them to court and auction the cows. That is the position of the state government and the Amotekun Corps from now.

“Any herder that destroys farmland and crops will not have the window of opportunity for negotiation for payment of compensation.

“The herders would be arrested, prosecuted and the cows would become the government property and would also be auctioned,” he further said.

While the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Garba Bello, signed for the herders, Mr. Odeyemi Joseph and three others signed for the farmers.

Odeyemi, who disclosed that compensation to farmers did not commensurate with the losses, commended the Amotekun Corps for a prompt response when called upon.

He said the agreement they have signed was for the herdsmen to remove their cows and never to come to the area.

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