Bayelsa seeks monarch’s support for anti-grazing law

Bayelsa State Government has urged monarchs and security agencies to complement its efforts in implementing the anti-grazing law, to forestall herders-farmers crisis.

Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo gave the advice on Sunday at a meeting with first-class traditional rulers, chairmen of local governments and top security officers at the Government House, Yenagoa.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, he said the call became imperative in view of worrisome intelligence at the state government’s disposal pertaining to increased espionage activities in most communities.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo said unconfirmed security reports also had it that there was a mass build-up of arms at forests by people with sinister plans, who came into the state on the pretext of carrying out fishing, farming and other businesses.

He stressed the need for people, particularly monarchs and youths, to be vigilant as well as strengthen community policing across the state.

The deputy governor said the anti-grazing law was not made as a witch-hunt against anybody, but was a proactive measure to avoid banditry and other security challenges facing most states.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Security, Col. Benard Kenebai (retd.); Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; Police Commissioner Mr. Mike Okoli; the state director of Department of State Services; council chairmen; first class traditional rulers and divisional police officers (DPOs).